JP4315873B2 - Wiper arm - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a wiper arm used in a vehicle wiper device for wiping a windshield glass of an automobile.

  2. Description of the Related Art A vehicle wiper device that wipes windshield glass or the like of an automobile includes a wiper arm and a wiper blade that is 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 always urges 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 bent in a substantially U shape to form a holding portion, and the wiper blade is connected and held.

  By the way, in this type of general wiper arm, the retainer constituting the wiper arm is formed in a U-shaped cross section across the entire longitudinal direction by a pair of side walls and an upper wall continuous between the upper ends of the side walls. And the opening side is arrange | positioned toward the wiping surface (windshield glass surface) side (refer patent document 1 as an example).

  However, since the wiper arm is disposed between the rear end portion of the engine hood and the windshield glass, the space in the wiping surface direction is restricted, and the height dimension of the pair of side walls is limited. Therefore, it becomes difficult to ensure sufficient strength of the retainer, and in particular, the section modulus of the retainer around the axis perpendicular to the wiping surface becomes small, and the strength in the direction along the wiping surface becomes small. The wiper arm may be deformed when wiping wet snow accumulated on the roof or when snow falls from the roof during the wiping operation.

  In addition, it is preferable that such a wiper arm is as slim as possible in order to obstruct the driving field of view, but in recent years, the wiper arm (retainer) has become longer as the wiping surface becomes larger (wider). Ensuring predetermined rigidity and strength has become an issue.

In this regard, in the conventional wiper arm (retainer) as described above, when a predetermined rigidity or strength in the direction along the wiping surface is to be secured, its thickness (width dimension when projected in the wiping surface direction) is increased. There is a need to increase the thickness of the sliding member, and measures for this have been eagerly desired.
Japanese translation of PCT publication No. 7-506065

  In consideration of the above facts, the present invention can ensure a predetermined rigidity and strength even when the length of the wiping surface is increased (widened), and this is a simple and slim structure. It is an object to obtain a wiper arm that can be realized by the following.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wiper arm having an arm head fixed to a rotation shaft provided in a vehicle, and a base end portion pivotable on the arm head so as to be rotatable in a direction in which the base end portion contacts and separates from the wiping surface. A wiper arm that is supported and has a wiper blade connected to a distal end portion thereof, the wiper arm performing an open wiping operation and a closing wiping operation by reciprocating rotation of the rotation shaft, wherein the arm body has a proximal end parts are formed in cross-section under the U-shaped opening to the wiping surface side by the upper wall continuous between the front wall and rear wall and the respective wall upper portions facing each other to each other, said base and said tip A cross-sectional horizontal U-shape opened in the open wiping operation direction by a top wall and a bottom wall facing each other and a front wall continuous between the front end portions of each wall over a predetermined longitudinal region between the end portions. Shaped high strength part And said front wall of said arm body is formed as a continuous surface continuing toward the tip from the base end portion, and is twisted toward the side of progressively upper wall toward to the tip It is characterized by that.

  In the wiper arm according to claim 1, the arm body is continuous between the upper wall and the bottom wall facing each other and the front end portions of these walls over a predetermined longitudinal direction region between the distal end portion and the proximal end portion. A high-strength portion having a U-shaped cross section is formed by the front wall, and the high-strength portion opens in the open wiping operation direction.

  Therefore, in this high-strength portion, the section modulus around the axis perpendicular to the wiping surface is large, and rigidity in the direction along the wiping surface (for example, bending rigidity in the direction along the wiping surface) and strength are increased. In other words, since the predetermined rigidity and strength in the direction along the wiping surface can be ensured even if the width dimension of the upper wall and the bottom wall facing each other is reduced, the thickness of the high strength portion (arm body) is increased. An increase in the thickness (width dimension when projected in the direction of the wiping surface) and the thickness of the member can be suppressed. For this reason, for example, even when the wiping surface starts wiping in a so-called “semi-dry state”, or when the wiping surface is in a high load state such as when wiping snow or falling snow on the wiping surface, it can be handled without any problem.

  Thus, the wiper arm according to claim 1 can ensure predetermined rigidity and strength even when the wiping surface is lengthened along with the enlargement (widening) of the wiping surface. This can be realized by a simple and slim configuration in which an increase in the member thickness is suppressed.

  Furthermore, the high-strength portion of the arm body is formed in a U-shaped cross section that opens in the open wiping operation direction, that is, because the front side is closed and the rear side is opened with respect to the vehicle traveling wind. Wind noise is reduced and high speed is improved.

  Further, in the wiper arm according to claim 1, the base end portion of the arm body is formed in a U-shaped lower section by a front wall and a rear wall and an upper wall continuous between the upper ends of these walls, This base end portion opens to the wiping surface side.

  Therefore, in this base end portion, the section modulus around the axis parallel to the wiping surface is large, and the rigidity (for example, bending rigidity in the direction contacting and separating from the wiping surface) and the strength with respect to the direction contacting and separating from the wiping surface are increased. . For this reason, strength and rigidity required for the base end portion of the arm body can be ensured, and even in the high load state as described above, it can be handled without any problem.

  In addition, the front wall of the high strength portion and the front wall of the base end portion are formed as continuous surfaces that are continuous with each other, and the front wall of the high strength portion gradually increases as the top wall of the high strength portion increases. Since it is twisted toward the side, the twisted front wall is substantially inclined. Therefore, it is possible to prevent lifting during high-speed traveling, and this also improves high-speed performance.

  A wiper arm according to a second aspect of the present invention is the wiper arm according to the first aspect, wherein the upper wall of the arm body is formed as a continuous surface continuous from the base end portion toward the tip end portion, and the front surface. As the wall is twisted, the width gradually increases toward the tip.

In the wiper arm of the invention according to claim 2, since the upper wall of the high-strength portion is gradually formed narrower toward the tip portion, the slimness is further emphasized and the appearance is improved as a whole.

  A wiper arm according to a third aspect of the present invention is the wiper arm according to the first or second aspect, wherein the arm body has an upper wall of the base end portion and an upper wall of the high-strength portion of the axis of the connecting shaft. The tilt state is the same as the tilt with respect to the arm head.

  For this reason, in the wiper arm according to the third aspect, the processing and structure are simplified, and the appearance is improved.

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 the arm body is connected to the arm head, and the base end portion and the high-strength portion are arranged. The retainer included, and the retainer are configured as separate members and are integrally connected to the front end portion of the retainer, and are gradually twisted toward the front end side of the high strength portion and gradually toward the front end side. And an arm piece twisted in the same direction and connected to a wiper blade.

  In the wiper arm according to claim 4, since the arm piece is configured as a separate member from the retainer, the length of the arm body can be easily set to a length corresponding to the wiping range or the like, and the range of application is expanded. To do.

  In addition, since the arm piece is gradually twisted toward the tip side continuously to the front wall of the high-strength portion, there is no sense of incongruity in the shape of the entire arm body, and deterioration of appearance can be prevented.

  A wiper arm according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the wiper arm according to the fourth aspect, wherein the arm piece is bent and bent continuously in the width direction of the front wall of the high strength portion and the front wall at the tip of the retainer. It is characterized in that it is gripped and fixed by a pair of gripping walls.

  For this reason, in the wiper arm according to the fifth aspect, the arm piece can be reliably connected and fixed to the tip of the retainer.

The wiper arm according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the wiper arm according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the arm body is connected to the arm head, and the base end portion and the high-strength portion are connected to each other. The retainer is formed integrally with the front end of the retainer, and is continuously twisted in the same direction as the front wall torsion continuously toward the front wall of the high-strength portion, and the wiper blade is connected. And an arm piece.

  In the wiper arm according to the sixth aspect, since the arm piece is formed integrally and continuously at the distal end portion of the retainer, there is no joint between the arm piece and the retainer, and the appearance is greatly improved.

  A wiper arm according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the wiper arm according to any one of the fourth to sixth aspects, wherein at least one of the front wall of the high-strength portion and the arm piece has the degree of twisting. Is set to be constant along the longitudinal direction.

  For this reason, in the wiper arm according to the seventh aspect, the arm body as a whole has a certain shape and is improved in appearance.

  The wiper arm of the invention according to claim 8 is the wiper arm according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the wiper blade connected to the arm piece is provided with an inclined fin on the front side, The arm piece is located in front of and above the inclined fin in the wiper blade connected state.

  In the wiper arm according to claim 8, since the opening of the high-strength portion faces the open wiping operation direction, the air current induced by the inclined fin of the wiper blade is prevented from being received inside the U-shape, The so-called wind passage when the vehicle travels is improved, the lift during high speed travel can be prevented, and the high speed performance is improved.

  The wiper arm of the invention according to claim 9 is the wiper arm according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the bottom wall of the high-strength portion of the arm body has an edge portion on the base end side, A locking hole for the arm pressure applying spring is formed.

  In the wiper arm according to the ninth aspect, the structure is simplified by effectively utilizing the bottom wall of the high strength portion of the arm body.

  FIG. 1 is a front view showing the entire configuration of a wiper arm 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of the wiper arm 10. 3A to 3F show cross-sectional views of the respective parts of the wiper arm 10. Further, FIGS. 4 to 7 show the configuration of the wiper arm 10 in perspective views.

  The wiper arm 10 includes an arm head 12. One end of the arm head 12 is fixed to a pivot shaft (not shown) as a pivot shaft provided in the vehicle, and always rotates together with the pivot shaft. A base end portion 18 of a retainer 16 constituting the arm body 14 is connected to the other end portion of the arm head 12 via a connecting shaft 20 so as to be rotatable by a predetermined angle in a direction contacting and separating from the wiping surface.

  The base end portion 18 of the retainer 16 is formed into a U-shaped cross section with one side opened by a front wall 22 and a rear wall 24 facing each other, and an upper wall 26 continuous between the upper ends of these walls. It is pivotally supported by the arm head 12 with the opening side facing a wiping surface such as a windshield glass. Further, the retainer 16 is provided with a high-strength portion 28 continuously from the base end portion 18. The high-strength portion 28 is formed in a U-shaped cross-section that opens on one side by an upper wall 30 and a bottom wall 32 that face each other and a front wall 34 that is continuous between the front end portions of these walls. The opening side is provided so as to face the open wiping operation direction (rearward along the wiping surface: arrow A direction in FIG. 2).

  The upper wall 30 of the high-strength portion 28 is formed as a continuous surface that is continuous with the upper wall 26 of the base end portion 18, and gradually becomes narrower toward the distal end portion. Further, the front wall 34 of the high-strength portion 28 is formed as a continuous surface that is continuous with the front wall 22 of the base end portion 18, and gradually toward the upper wall 30 of the high-strength portion 28 toward the distal end portion. It is twisted toward.

In addition, the upper wall 26 of the base end portion 18 of the retainer 16 and the upper wall 30 of the high-strength portion 28 are in the same inclined state as the inclination of the axis R of the connecting shaft 20 with respect to the arm head 12.
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a locking hole 36 of an arm pressure applying spring 38 described later is formed in the bottom wall 32 of the high strength portion 28 at the edge portion on the base end portion 18 side.

  On the back side of the base end portion 18 of the retainer 16, an arm pressure applying spring 38 is accommodated. As shown in FIG. 4, one end of the spring 38 is locked in a locking hole 36 formed in the bottom wall 32 of the high-strength portion 28, and the other end of the spring 38 is connected to the arm head 12 via a hook 40. Locked to the locking pin 42. Thereby, the retainer 16 is always urged toward the wiping surface such as the windshield glass.

  On the other hand, an arm piece 44 constituting the arm body 14 together with the retainer 16 is fixed to the distal end portion of the retainer 16. The arm piece 44 is configured as a separate member from the retainer 16, and at the front end of the retainer 16, the front wall 34 of the high-strength portion 28 and a pair of grips bent and bent continuously in the width direction of the front wall 34. It is configured to be held and fixed by the wall 46 and integrally connected to the distal end portion of the retainer 16. Further, the arm piece 44 is gradually twisted toward the distal end side continuously to the front wall 34 of the high-strength portion 28. More specifically, the upper wall 30 is twisted toward the upper wall 30 so that the width of the upper wall 30 of the high-strength portion 28 gradually decreases and converges.

  In this case, the front wall 34 and the arm piece 44 of the high-strength portion 28 are set to have a constant degree of twist along the longitudinal direction. Note that, for example, the arm piece 44 can be configured by bending only without being twisted or twisted in consideration of the mounting state of the vehicle.

  The distal end portion of the arm piece 44 is bent into a substantially U shape to form a holding portion 48, and as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the wiper blade 50 is connected and held via a clip member (not shown).

  The wiper blade 50 is provided with an inclined fin 52 on the front side, and is rotatably held by an arm piece 44. In this case, the arm piece 44 is positioned in front of and above the inclined fin 52 in the connected state of the wiper blade 50.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

  In the wiper arm 10 configured as described above, the retainer 16 constituting the arm body 14 includes a front wall that is continuous between the upper wall 30 and the bottom wall 32 facing each other over a predetermined region in the longitudinal direction and the front end portions of these walls. 34, a high-strength portion 28 having a U-shaped cross section is formed, and the high-strength portion 28 is open in the open wiping operation direction (rearward along the wiping surface: arrow A direction in FIG. 2).

  Therefore, in the high-strength portion 28, the section modulus around the axis perpendicular to the wiping surface is large, and the rigidity in the direction along the wiping surface (for example, the bending rigidity in the direction along the wiping surface) and the strength are increased. In other words, since the predetermined rigidity and strength in the direction along the wiping surface can be secured even if the width dimension of the upper wall 30 and the bottom wall 32 facing each other is reduced, the high-strength portion 28 (the retainer 16). ) (Width dimension when projected in the direction of the wiping surface) and increase in the thickness of the member can be suppressed. In particular, sufficient strength and rigidity are required in the open wiping operation direction, but even when the space in the wiping surface direction is limited as in the past and the height dimension of the pair of side walls is limited, Since the opening of the high-strength portion 28 faces the open wiping operation direction, the height dimension of the front wall 34 is reduced by slightly increasing the width dimension of the top wall 30 and the bottom wall 32 that are not subject to the above-described restrictions. The strength and rigidity of the wiper arm 10 can be improved while receiving the above restrictions. As a result, when the arrangement space of the wiper arm 10 is restricted, for example, the wiping surface is in a high load state such as the start of wiping in a so-called “semi-dry state”, snow wiping or snow falling on the wiping surface. However, it can be handled without any problems.

  Thus, in the wiper arm 10 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to ensure a predetermined rigidity and strength even when the wiping surface is lengthened along with the enlargement (widening) of the wiping surface. This can be realized by a simple and slim configuration in which an increase in thickness and member thickness is suppressed.

  Further, the high-strength portion 28 of the retainer 16 is formed in a U-shaped cross section that opens in the open wiping operation direction, that is, the front side is closed and the rear side is opened with respect to the vehicle traveling wind. Therefore, wind noise is reduced and high speed is improved.

  Furthermore, the proximal end portion 18 of the retainer 16 is formed in a U-shaped section by a front wall 22 and a rear wall 24 and an upper wall 26 continuous between the upper ends of these walls. The part 18 is open to the wiping surface side.

  Accordingly, the base end portion 18 has a large section modulus around an axis parallel to the wiping surface, and has a large rigidity (for example, bending rigidity in a direction contacting and separating from the wiping surface) and strength with respect to the direction contacting and separating from the wiping surface. Become. For this reason, the strength and rigidity necessary for the base end portion 18 of the retainer 16 can be ensured, and even in a high load state as described above, it can be handled without any problems.

  Further, the upper wall 30 of the high-strength portion 28 and the upper wall 26 of the base end portion 18 are formed as continuous surfaces that are continuous with each other, and the front wall 34 of the high-strength portion 28 and the front wall 22 of the base end portion 18 are Are formed as continuous surfaces that are continuous with each other, and the front wall 34 of the high-strength portion 28 is gradually twisted toward the upper wall 30 of the high-strength portion 28 toward the tip portion. The formed front wall 34 is substantially inclined. Therefore, it is possible to prevent lifting during high-speed traveling, and this also improves high-speed performance. Further, since the upper wall 30 of the high-strength portion 28 is gradually narrowed toward the tip portion, the slimness is further emphasized, and the appearance of the wiper arm 10 as a whole is improved.

  Furthermore, since the upper wall 26 of the base end portion 18 of the retainer 16 and the upper wall 30 of the high-strength portion 28 are in the same inclined state as the inclination of the axis R of the connecting shaft 20 with respect to the arm head 12, as a whole Processing and structure are simplified and appearance is improved.

  Further, in this wiper arm 10, since the arm piece 44 is configured as a separate member from the retainer 16, the length of the wiper arm 10 (the retainer 16 and the arm piece 44) is easily set to a length corresponding to the wiping range or the like. And the scope of application can be expanded. Moreover, in this case, the arm piece 44 is gripped and fixed at the distal end portion of the retainer 16 by the front wall 34 of the high-strength portion 28 and a pair of gripping walls 46 that are continuously bent and bent in the width direction of the front wall 34. Therefore, the arm piece 44 can be reliably connected and fixed to the tip of the retainer 16. Further, since the arm piece 44 is continuously twisted toward the distal end side continuously to the front wall 34 of the high-strength portion 28, the arm body 14 as a whole has no sense of incongruity and can prevent deterioration in appearance. .

  In the wiper arm 10, the front wall 34 and the arm piece 44 of the high-strength portion 28 of the retainer 16 have a constant degree of shape as a whole because the degree of twist is set to be constant along the longitudinal direction. Yes, it looks better.

  Further, in the wiper arm 10, a locking hole 36 is formed in the bottom wall 32 of the high strength portion 28 of the retainer 16, and a spring 38 is locked in the locking hole 36. By effectively using the bottom wall 32 of the high-strength portion 28, the structure is simplified.

  Further, the wiper blade 50 connected to the wiper arm 10 (arm piece 44) is provided with an inclined fin 52 on the front surface side, and the arm piece 44 is located in front of and above the inclined fin 52 in the connected state of the wiper blade 50. Even if it is located, the opening of the high-strength portion 28 faces the open wiping operation direction, so that the airflow induced by the inclined fins 52 of the wiper blade 50 is received inside the U-shape of the wiper arm 10. Is prevented, so-called wind passage is improved when the vehicle is traveling, and lifting during high-speed traveling can be prevented, and high-speed performance is improved.

  As described above, the wiper arm 10 according to the present embodiment can ensure a predetermined rigidity and strength even when the wiping surface is lengthened along with the enlargement (widening) of the wiping surface. Can be realized with a simple and slim configuration.

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

  Note that components that are basically the same as those of the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals as those of the above embodiment, and description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the entire configuration of a wiper arm 60 according to another embodiment.

  The wiper arm 60 has basically the same configuration as the wiper arm 10 according to the above embodiment, but the arm body 62 includes a retainer 64 including the base end portion 18 and the high-strength portion 28 similar to those described above, and a retainer. The arm piece 66 is formed integrally with the front end portion of 64. That is, the retainer 64 and the arm piece 66 are not configured as separate members, but are configured as an integrated object.

  Also in this arm body 62, the arm piece 66 is formed by being gradually twisted toward the distal end side continuously to the front wall 34 of the high-strength portion 28 of the retainer 64.

  The wiper arm 60 has the same operation and effect as the wiper arm 10 according to the above-described embodiment, and the arm piece 66 of the arm body 62 is formed integrally and continuously at the distal end portion of the retainer 64. There is no joint between the arm piece 66 and the retainer 64, and the appearance is greatly improved.

It is a front view showing the whole wiper arm composition concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a top view which shows the whole structure of the wiper arm which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The structure of the wiper arm which concerns on embodiment of this invention is shown, (A) is sectional drawing along the AA line of FIG. 1, (B) is sectional drawing along the BB line of FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 1, FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 1, and FIG. It is sectional drawing along a line, (F) is sectional drawing along the FF line of FIG. It is the perspective view seen from the arm piece side which shows the whole structure of the wiper arm which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view seen from the arm head side which shows the whole structure of the wiper arm which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view in the wiper blade attachment state which shows the whole structure of the wiper arm which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view in the wiper blade attachment state which shows the whole structure of the wiper arm which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the whole structure of the wiper arm which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

        DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Wiper arm, 12 ... Arm head, 14 ... Arm body, 16 ... Retainer, 18 ... Base end part, 20 ... Connecting shaft, 22 ... Front wall, 24 ..Back wall, 26 ... upper wall, 28 ... high-strength part, 30 ... upper wall, 32 ... bottom wall, 34 ... front wall, 44 ... armpiece

Claims (9)

An arm head fixed to a rotating shaft provided in the vehicle;
An arm body that is pivotally supported by the arm head so as to be pivotable in a direction in which a base end portion contacts and separates from the wiping surface by a connecting shaft, and a wiper blade is connected to a tip portion;
A wiper arm that performs an open wiping operation and a close wiping operation by reciprocating rotation of the rotating shaft,
The arm body is formed in a U-shaped cross section that opens to the wiping surface side by a front wall and a rear wall whose base ends face each other and an upper wall continuous between the upper ends of the walls. , longitudinally over a predetermined area, wherein the open wiping direction by a front wall continuous between the upper wall and bottom wall and the front end portion of each wall facing each other to each other between the tip and the base end portion high-strength portion of the cross-section transverse U-shape opening is formed in,
The front wall of the arm body is formed as a continuous surface that continues from the base end portion toward the distal end portion, and is gradually twisted toward the upper wall side toward the distal end portion.
A wiper arm characterized by that. The upper wall of the arm body is formed as a continuous surface that continues from the base end portion toward the tip end portion, and is gradually formed narrower toward the tip end portion as the front wall is twisted. Is ,
The wiper arm according to claim 1. In the arm body, the upper wall of the base end portion and the upper wall of the high-strength portion are in the same inclined state as the inclination of the axis of the connecting shaft with respect to the arm head,
The wiper arm according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The arm body is
A retainer coupled to the arm head and including the proximal end portion and the high strength portion;
The retainer is configured as a separate member and is integrally connected to the distal end portion of the retainer, and is gradually twisted in the same direction as the torsion of the front wall as it goes to the distal end side continuously to the front wall of the high strength portion. An arm piece to which the wiper blade is connected;
The wiper arm according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by comprising:   The arm piece is gripped and fixed at a front end portion of the retainer by a front wall of the high-strength portion and a pair of gripping walls bent and bent continuously in the width direction of the front wall. The wiper arm according to claim 4. The arm body is
A retainer coupled to the arm head and including the proximal end portion and the high strength portion;
An arm piece formed integrally with the front end portion of the retainer, being gradually twisted in the same direction as the front wall torsion continuously toward the front end side of the front wall of the high-strength portion, and to which a wiper blade is connected;
The wiper arm according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by comprising:   The at least one of the front wall of the high-strength portion and the arm piece has the degree of twist set to be constant along the longitudinal direction. The wiper arm according to item 1.   The wiper blade connected to the arm piece is provided with an inclined fin on the front side, and the arm piece is positioned in front of and above the inclined fin in the wiper blade connected state. The wiper arm according to any one of claims 4 to 7. On the bottom wall of the high-strength portion of the arm body, a locking hole for an arm pressure application spring is formed in the edge portion on the base end side.
The wiper arm according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the wiper arm is provided.

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