JP7044021B2 - Wiper lever assembly and wiper blade - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a wiper lever assembly and a wiper blade.

The following Patent Document 1 describes a flat type wiper blade that does not use a wiper lever assembly having a tournament structure in which a plurality of levers are connected in a tournament shape. In this wiper blade, rigidity and elasticity are imparted to the wiper strip (blade rubber) by a leaf spring-shaped support element (backing). The wiper blade also has a wind deflector strip fixed to the support element via first and second claws. A fin surface is formed on the upper surface of the wind deflector strip to convert the running wind into a pressing force toward the wiping surface side.

Patent Document 2 below describes a wiper blade including a lever member (wiper lever assembly) having a tournament structure, a blade rubber, and two movable covers. The lever member includes a main lever whose central portion in the longitudinal direction is detachably connected to the wiper arm, and two yoke levers rotatably connected to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the main lever. A movable cover is rotatably connected to each of these yoke levers, and the blade rubber is gripped by each yoke lever and each movable cover. Further, on the upper surface of the main lever and each movable cover, fin surfaces for converting the traveling wind into the pressing force toward the wiping surface side are formed.

Special Table 2006-513928 Gazette International Publication No. 2010/035794

In recent years, as the wiping environment of wipers has changed, such as the application of a water-repellent coating agent to the wiping surface has become established, higher performance wiper blades have been demanded. In this respect, since the wiper blade described in Patent Document 1 is a flat type, the height of protrusion from the wiping surface can be suppressed to a low level, and the aerodynamic characteristics are improved. However, as compared with a configuration using a wiper lever assembly having a tournament structure, it is difficult for the distributed pressure to be uniform on the wiping surface, so that there is a drawback that the wiping performance is inferior. On the other hand, in the wiper blade described in Patent Document 2, good wiping performance can be obtained by the wiper lever assembly having a tournament structure, but the height from the wiping surface is increased and the wiper blade is formed on the upper surface of the main lever and each movable cover. The slope of the fin surface is steep. As a result, the drag acting at the time of wiping becomes large, so there is room for improvement from the viewpoint of improving the aerodynamic characteristics.

In consideration of the above facts, it is an object of the present invention to provide a wiper lever assembly capable of improving aerodynamic characteristics while ensuring good wiping performance and a wiper blade provided with the wiper lever assembly.

In the wiper lever assembly of the first aspect of the present invention, the tip end portion of the wiper arm is connected to the central portion in the longitudinal direction, and the first fin surface having a downward gradient toward one side in the width direction is formed on the upper surfaces on both sides in the longitudinal direction. The main lever is continuously arranged on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the main lever, and a second fin surface having a downward gradient toward one side in the width direction is formed on the upper surface so as to be connected to the first fin surface. A pair of movable covers provided with a grip portion for gripping the blade rubber on the opposite side of the lever are rotatably connected to the main lever and each movable cover around an axis extending in the width direction, and are longitudinally connected. A pair of yoke levers provided with gripping portions for gripping the blade rubber at both ends in the direction are provided, and both sides of the main lever in the longitudinal direction and each movable cover are front walls and rear walls facing each other in the width direction, respectively. And an upper wall connecting the upper end portions of the front wall and the rear wall in the width direction, and each of the front walls has a width continuous with the front inner wall and the front inner wall to the upper wall. It has an anterior outer wall formed toward one side in the direction, and each of the yoke levers is rotatably connected to each of the anterior inner wall and each of the rear walls, and each said first. The fin surface and each of the second fin surfaces are formed on the upper surfaces of the upper wall and the front outer wall, respectively.

In the wiper lever assembly of the first aspect, a pair of movable covers are continuously arranged on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the main lever in which the tip end portion of the wiper arm is connected to the central portion in the longitudinal direction. The upper surfaces of both sides in the longitudinal direction of the main lever and the upper surfaces of the movable covers are formed so that the first fin surface and the second fin surface having a downward gradient are connected to one side in the width direction, respectively. A pair of yoke levers are rotatably connected to the main lever around the axis along the width direction, and a movable cover rotates around the axis along the width direction with respect to the pair of yoke levers. It is connected as possible. Further, the blade rubber is gripped by a grip portion provided on the side opposite to the main lever in each movable cover and a grip portion provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of each yoke lever. As a result, the pressing force applied to the main lever from the wiper arm is also distributed in the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber via each yoke lever, so that the pressing force acts on the end of the wiper blade and the wiping performance is good. Become.

Further, in this wiper lever assembly, both sides of the main lever in the longitudinal direction and each movable cover are the front wall and the rear wall facing each other in the width direction, and the upper wall connecting the upper ends of the front wall and the rear wall in the width direction, respectively. Each front wall has a front inner wall and a front outer wall formed continuously from the front inner wall to the upper wall toward one side in the width direction. Each yoke lever is rotatably connected to each front inner wall and each rear wall, and each upper wall and each front wall are connected so that each first fin surface and each second fin surface are connected to each other. It is formed on the upper surface of the outer wall. That is, each of the front walls has a double structure of the front inner walls that serve as rotation connecting portions with the yoke levers and the front outer walls that form the fin surfaces. Since each front outer wall is arranged on one side in the width direction with respect to each front inner wall, each fin surface having a downward gradient toward one side in the width direction can be expanded (extended) to one side in the width direction. can. As a result, the gradient of each fin surface can be gently set on one side in the width direction, so that the aerodynamic characteristics can be improved.

In the wiper lever assembly according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, one of the concave portions and the convex portions formed on the front inner wall and the rear wall is formed on both sides of the yoke lever in the width direction. The yoke lever is rotatably connected to the main lever and the movable cover by being fitted into the other of the four convex portions and the concave portions, respectively.

According to the wiper lever assembly of the second aspect, since it is configured as described above, as compared with the case where the main lever and the movable cover and the yoke lever are rotatably connected by using, for example, a shaft member. , The configuration and assembly of each rotary connecting portion between the main lever, the movable cover and the yoke lever are simplified.

In the wiper lever assembly of the third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, each of the front inner walls is reinforced with a flexible portion in which one of the concave portion and the convex portion is formed, and the flexible portion. It has a reinforcing portion, and the yoke lever is formed with a front projection corresponding to the reinforcing portion and protruding so as to be abuttable.

According to the wiper lever assembly of the third aspect, one of the concave portions and the convex portions formed on each front inner wall and each rear wall of the main lever and the movable cover is formed on both sides in the width direction of the yoke lever. When fitting into the other of the convex portion and the concave portion, the flexible portion of each front inner wall can be bent without being affected by the adjacent reinforcing portion, so that the concave portion and the convex portion formed in the flexible portion. One of the portions can be easily fitted into the other of the convex portion and the concave portion of the yoke lever. Moreover, when a load is applied between the yoke lever, the main lever, and the movable cover, the front projections that protrude from the yoke lever so as to correspond to the reinforcing portions of each front inner wall come into contact with the reinforcing portions. Therefore, it is possible to prevent or suppress the application of the above load in the bending direction of the flexible portion. As a result, it is possible to prevent one of the concave portion and the convex portion formed in the flexible portion and the other of the convex portion and the concave portion of the yoke lever from being inadvertently removed.

In the wiper lever assembly according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, the reinforcing portion of each front inner wall is reinforced by a reinforcing rib connecting each front inner wall and each front outer wall in the width direction. ing.

According to the wiper lever assembly of the fourth aspect, the reinforcing portion of each front inner wall of the main lever and the movable cover is connected to each front outer wall in the width direction by the reinforcing rib. As a result, the reinforcing portion of each front inner wall can be further reinforced with a simple configuration.

In the wiper lever assembly according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the second to fourth aspects, one of the concave portion and the convex portion is formed on the lower side of each of the rear walls. The yoke lever is formed with a rear projection that protrudes so as to be abuttable on the upper side of the concave portion and the convex portion of each rear wall.

According to the wiper lever assembly of the fifth aspect, one of the concave portions and the convex portions formed on each front inner wall and each rear wall of the main lever and the movable cover is formed on both sides in the width direction of the yoke lever. When fitting into the other of the convex portion and the concave portion, the rear wall of the main lever and the movable cover bends, so that one of the concave portion and the convex portion formed on the lower side of each rear wall is of the yoke lever. It can be fitted into the other of the convex portion and the concave portion. Moreover, when a load is applied between the yoke lever and the main lever and the movable cover, the rear projections protruding from the yoke lever move back and forth from the upper side of each rear wall (that is, the lower side of each rear wall). By abutting at a portion that is difficult to bend), the distance from the bending fulcrum is shortened, and the bending of each rear wall can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to prevent one of the concave portion and the convex portion formed on each rear wall and the other of the convex portion and the concave portion of the yoke lever from being inadvertently removed.

In the wiper lever assembly of the sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, each of the anterior outer walls extends downward from each of the anterior inner walls.

According to the wiper lever assembly of the sixth aspect, each front outer wall of the main lever and the movable cover extends below each front inner wall. As a result, it is possible to prevent the airflow that has interfered with each front outer wall from one side in the width direction from interfering with each front inner wall.

The wiper blade according to the seventh aspect of the present invention grips the blade rubber by a blade rubber for wiping the wiping surface of the vehicle and each of the grip portions provided on the pair of movable covers and the pair of yoke levers. It has the wiper lever assembly of any one of the first to sixth aspects described above.

In the wiper blade of the seventh aspect, the blade rubber for wiping the wiping surface of the vehicle is gripped by a pair of movable covers provided in the wiper lever assembly and each grip portion provided on the pair of yoke levers. Since the wiper lever assembly is one of any one of the first to sixth aspects, the above-mentioned action and effect can be obtained.

It is a perspective view of the wiper blade which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the wiper blade. It is a front view of the wiper blade. It is a side view of the wiper blade. It is an exploded perspective view of the wiper blade. It is an exploded perspective view of the wiper blade. It is a perspective view which shows a part of the wiper blade, and is the figure which shows the cut surface along the F7-F7 line of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows a part of the wiper blade, and is the figure which shows the cut surface along the F8-F8 line of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows a part of the wiper blade, and is the figure which shows the cut surface along the F9-F9 line of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows a part of the wiper blade, and is the figure which shows the cut surface along the F10-F10 line of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows a part of the wiper blade, and is the figure which shows the cut surface along the F11-F11 line of FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the cut surface shown in FIG. 7 as viewed from the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the cut surface shown in FIG. 8 as viewed from the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the cut surface shown in FIG. 9 as viewed from the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cut surface shown in FIG. 10 as viewed from the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade. It is a perspective view which shows the tip side part of the wiper lever assembly which concerns on embodiment of this invention in the state seen from the lower side. It is a perspective view which shows the base end side part of the wiper lever assembly as seen from the lower side. It is an exploded perspective view which shows a part of the wiper lever assembly. It is a perspective view which shows the main lever of the wiper lever assembly. It is a perspective view which shows the main lever of the wiper lever assembly. It is a perspective view which shows a part of FIG. 20 enlarged. It is a perspective view which shows the movable cover of the wiper lever assembly. It is a perspective view which shows the yoke lever of the wiper lever assembly. It is a perspective view which shows the yoke lever of the wiper lever assembly. It is a perspective view of the metal part which the yoke lever has. It is a perspective view of the metal part. It is a perspective view of the metal part. It is an aerodynamic analysis diagram of the wiper blade which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is an aerodynamic analysis diagram of the wiper blade which concerns on the 1st comparative example. It is an aerodynamic analysis diagram of the wiper blade which concerns on the 2nd comparative example. It is sectional drawing corresponding to FIG. 12, which shows the modification of the wiper blade which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing corresponding to FIG. 14 which shows the modification of the wiper blade which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, the wiper blade 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 27. In each drawing, some reference numerals may be omitted in order to make the drawings easier to see. Further, in each drawing, the scale of the drawing is appropriately changed for convenience of explanation.

The wiper blade 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 15 is for wiping raindrops and the like adhering to the wiping surface WS which is the outer surface of the windshield glass G (not shown except for FIGS. 12 to 15) of the vehicle (automobile). It is a wiper blade with a so-called tournament structure. The wiper blade 10 is connected to the tip end portion of the wiper arm 12 (not shown except in FIG. 1), and is configured to receive a pressing force from the wiper arm 12 toward the wiping surface WS side. The wiper arm 12 together with the wiper blade 10 constitutes a wiper for a vehicle. The base end of the wiper arm 12 is fixed to a pivot shaft (not shown) that reciprocates within a predetermined angle range by the driving force of a wiper motor (not shown), and the wiper arm 12 reciprocates due to the reciprocating rotation of the pivot shaft. It is rocked. As a result, the wiper blade 10 connected to the tip of the wiper arm 12 is set at the lower inversion position set at the lower end of the windshield glass G and at the upper end side of the windshield glass G from the lower inversion position. It is configured to swing back and forth between the upper inverted position and the inverted position.

The wiper blade 10 is composed of a blade rubber 14 for wiping the wiping surface WS and a wiper lever assembly 20 for gripping the blade rubber 14. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 18, the wiper lever assembly 20 has a main lever 22 in which the tip end portion of the wiper arm 12 is connected to the central portion in the longitudinal direction, and a pair of movable parts provided on both sides of the main lever 22 in the longitudinal direction. A pair of yokes rotatably connected to the cover 60, the main lever 22 and the pair of movable covers 60 (in other words, the movable covers 60 are rotatably connected to the pair of yoke levers 96). It is composed of a lever 96. The wiper lever assembly 20 is configured to grip the blade rubber 14 by a pair of movable covers 60 and a pair of yoke levers 96.

Hereinafter, each of the above components of the wiper blade 10 will be described in detail. In the following description, the arrows UP and FR appropriately shown in each figure are above and in front of the wiper blade 10, respectively, and the side to which the arrow BE faces is the base end side (swing center side) of the wiper blade 10. do. The vertical direction of the wiper blade 10 is a direction orthogonal to the wiping surface WS, and the front-rear direction of the wiper blade 10 is the width direction of the wiper blade 10, which substantially coincides with the wiping direction. Hereinafter, when the description is simply made using the front-back and up-down directions, the direction with respect to the wiper blade 10 is shown.

(About blade rubber)
The blade rubber 14 is formed in a long shape by, for example, rubber. The blade rubber 14 has an upper portion 14A gripped by the wiper lever assembly 20, and a wiping portion 14B extending from the upper portion 14A to the lower side (wiping surface WS side) and having a lower end portion pressed against the wiping surface WS. Have. A pair of backing grooves 16 opened on both sides in the front-rear direction (width direction) are formed in the upper portion 14A of the blade rubber 14 along the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber 14. Each of these backing grooves 16 is configured to be fitted with a backing (not shown) made of a metal leaf spring material. These backings disperse the pressing force received from the wiper arm 12 on the wiping surface WS in the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber 14. Further, in the upper portion 14A of the blade rubber 14, a pair of gripping grooves 18 opened on both sides in the front-rear direction (width direction) below the pair of backing grooves 16 are formed along the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber 14. It is formed. The vertical positions of these gripping grooves 18 correspond to the gripping portions 80 and 110 described later in the wiper lever assembly 20.

(About the wiper lever assembly)
As described above, the wiper lever assembly 20 is composed of a main lever 22, a pair of movable covers 60, and a pair of yoke levers 96. In this wiper lever assembly 20, the portion on the tip side (the side opposite to the swing center of the wiper blade 10) and the portion on the proximal end side (the swing center side of the wiper blade 10) are symmetrical or substantially symmetrical. It is formed in the shape of.

(About the main lever)
The main lever 22 is made of, for example, a resin material and has a long shape. The main lever 22 constitutes an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the wiper lever assembly 20. The central portion of the main lever 22 in the longitudinal direction is a connecting portion 22A, and both sides of the connecting portion 22A in the longitudinal direction are a pair of arm portions 22B.

As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the connecting portion 22A is formed in a rectangular frame shape having the longitudinal direction of the main lever 22 as the longitudinal direction when viewed in the vertical direction. The connecting portion 22A is formed with an opening 24 that penetrates the connecting portion 22A in the vertical direction. The opening 24 is formed in a long shape having a longitudinal direction of the main lever 22. A metal connecting shaft 26 connecting the front and rear wall portions of the connecting portion 22A is integrally formed at the central portion in the longitudinal direction in the opening 24. The tip of the wiper arm 12 is connected to the connecting shaft 26 via a connecting clip 28.

The pair of arm portions 22B are integrally extended from the connecting portion 22A to both sides in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 10. As shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 12, and 13, these arm portions 22B have an open cross-sectional shape that opens downward (to the wiping surface WS side) in the longitudinal direction of the main lever 22. .. As shown in FIGS. 12, 13, 19 to 21, each arm portion 22B has an upper wall 30, a front wall 32 extending downward from the front end of the upper wall 30, and an upper wall 30. The rear wall 40 extending downward from the rear end and slightly rearward from the center of the upper wall 30 in the anteroposterior direction, in other words, downward between the anterior inner wall 36 and the rear wall 40 described later. It is provided with an extended rear inner wall 42 and a plurality of reinforcing ribs 44 (see FIG. 21) bridged between the front surface of the rear inner wall 42 and the lower surface of the upper wall 30. The front wall 32 and the rear wall 40 face each other in the front-rear direction (width direction), and the upper wall 30 connects the upper ends of the front wall 32 and the rear wall 40 in the front-rear direction (width direction). The plurality of reinforcing ribs 44 are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the main lever 22, and are integrally connected to the upper wall 30 and the rear inner wall 42.

Further, the front wall 32 has a plurality of reinforcing ribs 38 connecting the front outer wall 34 and the front inner wall 36 facing in the front-rear direction (width direction) and the front outer wall 34 and the front inner wall 36 in the front-rear direction (width direction). And have. The front outer wall 34 extends from the front end of the upper wall 30 to the front side (one side in the width direction) and downward, and the front inner wall 36 is slightly rear side (slightly the other side in the width direction) from the front outer wall 34. It extends downward from the front end of the upper wall 30. That is, the front outer wall 34 is arranged on the front side (one side in the width direction) with respect to the front inner wall 36. The front outer wall 34 is curved so as to be convex toward the front side (one side in the width direction) and the upper side. The front inner wall 36 is set to have a smaller dimension in the longitudinal direction of the main lever 22 than the front outer wall 34, and the front inner wall 36 is not provided on the connecting portion 22A side of each arm portion 22B. The plurality of reinforcing ribs 38 are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the main lever 22, and are integrally connected to the upper wall 30, the front outer wall 34, and the front inner wall 36.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the front outer wall 34 extends downward from the front inner wall 36, and the lower end portion of the front outer wall 34 is arranged slightly below the lower end portion of the front inner wall 36. ing. The lower end of the front inner wall 36 and the lower end of the rear wall 40 are arranged at substantially the same position (height) in the vertical direction. The lower end portion of the rear inner wall 42 is arranged above each lower end portion of the front inner wall 36 and the rear wall 40. Further, the rear wall 40 is formed so that the dimension (thickness) in the front-rear direction increases from the upper end side to the lower end side connected to the upper wall 30.

The upper surface of each arm portion 22B (that is, both sides in the longitudinal direction of the main lever 22) configured as described above is composed of the upper surfaces of the upper wall 30 and the front outer wall 34. On the upper surface of each arm portion 22B, a fin surface (first fin surface) 46 having a downward slope toward the front side of the vehicle (that is, the front side in the width direction) is formed. Each fin surface 46 is formed on a portion of the upper surface of each upper wall 30 on the front side of the vehicle, and extends in the longitudinal direction of the main lever 22. These fin surfaces 46 extend slightly to the rear side from the central portion in the front-rear direction (width direction) of each arm portion 22B, and are curved so that the gradient increases toward the rear side. When these fin surfaces 46 receive the traveling wind when the vehicle is traveling, the pressing force on the wiping surface WS side acts on the blade rubber 14. The height dimension (vertical dimension) of each arm portion 22B on which each fin surface 46 is formed is larger on the rear side than on the front side in the front-rear direction (width direction).

Further, as shown in FIGS. 12, 13, 18 to 21, each arm portion 22B (that is, both sides in the longitudinal direction of the main lever 22) has a main storage chamber for accommodating a part of the yoke lever 96. 48 is formed. The main storage chamber 48 is formed between the front wall 32 and the rear wall 40 on the lower side of the upper wall 30, and is open to the lower side (wiping surface WS side) and the outside in the longitudinal direction of the main lever 22. .. Further, the height dimension (vertical dimension) of the main accommodation chamber 48 is larger on the rear side than on the front side in the width direction. The rear inner wall 42 described above is provided in the vicinity of the central portion in the front-rear direction of the main storage chamber 48, and the upper portion of the main storage chamber 48 is partitioned back and forth by the rear inner wall 42. Further, a reinforcing wall 50 (see FIGS. 20 and 21) is provided between the main accommodating chamber 48 and the above-mentioned connecting portion 22A, and the reinforcing wall 50 is used to connect the main accommodating chamber 48 and the inside of the connecting portion 22A. Is partitioned.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 12, 13, 16 to 21, convex portions (shaft portions) are provided on both front and rear surfaces of each main accommodation chamber 48 in the width direction at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the main lever 22. 52 and 54 are formed. Specifically, a convex portion 52 protruding rearward is formed at the lower end portion of the front inner wall 36 forming the front surface of the main accommodation chamber 48, and the lower end portion of the rear wall 40 forming the rear surface of the main accommodation chamber 48. In addition, a convex portion 54 projecting to the front side is formed. These convex portions 52, 54 are arranged so as to face each other (coaxially) in the front-rear direction of the main lever 22, and project in a direction approaching each other. Each of the convex portions 52 and 54 has a substantially semicircular shape when viewed in the front-rear direction, and is arranged in a posture in which an arcuate curved surface is convex upward. Further, the facing surfaces of the convex portions 52 and 54 (the surfaces facing the center side in the front-rear direction of the main storage chamber 48) are inclined or curved so as to go outward in the front-rear direction toward the lower side.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 21, a pair of slits 56 extending vertically are formed on both sides of the main lever 22 in the longitudinal direction with respect to the convex portion 52 on the front inner wall 36. The front inner wall 36 has a flexible portion 36A at a portion between the pair of slits 56 (that is, a portion where the convex portion 52 is formed), and the main lever 22 is longitudinally oriented with respect to the flexible portion 36A. The portions located on both sides are the reinforcing portions 36B, respectively. The flexible portion 36A is not reinforced by the above-mentioned reinforcing rib 38, and the reinforcing portion 36B is reinforced by the above-mentioned reinforcing rib 38. Therefore, the flexible portion 36A is more likely to bend back and forth in the width direction than the reinforcing portion 36B.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, a notch 58 cut out from the lower side is formed at the lower end of the rear inner wall 42. The notch 58 is formed in the vicinity of the convex portions 52 and 54.

(About movable cover)
The pair of movable covers 60 are formed in a long shape by, for example, a resin material. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, 5 and 6, these movable covers 60 are arranged on both sides of the main lever 22 in the longitudinal direction with the longitudinal direction of the main lever 22 as the longitudinal direction. As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, FIGS. 14 to 18, and 22, each movable cover 60 has an open cross-sectional shape that is open to the lower side (wiping surface WS side) in the longitudinal direction of each movable cover 60. Is doing. Each movable cover 60 includes an upper wall 62, a front wall 64 extending downward from the front end portion of the upper wall 62, and a rear wall 72 extending downward from the rear end portion of the upper wall 62. A rear inner wall 74 extending slightly from the rear side to the lower side of the central portion in the front-rear direction of the upper wall 62, and a plurality of reinforcing walls 76 connecting the front wall 64, the rear inner wall 74, and the rear wall 72 in the front-rear direction. It is equipped with. The front wall 64 and the rear wall 72 face each other in the front-rear direction (width direction), and the upper wall 62 connects the upper ends of the front wall 64 and the rear wall 72 in the front-rear direction (width direction). The plurality of reinforcing walls 76 are arranged in the longitudinal intermediate portion of each movable cover 60, and are arranged in the longitudinal direction of each movable cover 60. These plurality of reinforcing walls 76 are integrally connected to the upper wall 62, the front wall 64, the rear wall 72, and the rear inner wall 74.

Further, each movable cover 60 has a plurality of reinforcing ribs 78 (see FIG. 22) spanned between the front surface of the rear inner wall 74 and the lower surface of the upper wall 62 on the main lever 22 side of the plurality of reinforcing walls 76. ) Is provided. These reinforcing ribs 78 are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of each movable cover 60, and are integrally connected to the upper wall 62 and the rear inner wall 74.

Further, as shown in FIG. 22, the front wall 64 has a front outer wall 66 and a front inner wall 68 in which the portions on the main lever 22 side of the plurality of reinforcing walls 76 face each other in the front-rear direction (width direction). , The front outer wall 66 and the front inner wall 68 are connected by a plurality of reinforcing ribs 70 connected in the front-rear direction (width direction). The front outer wall 66 extends from the front end of the upper wall 62 to the front side (one side in the width direction) and downward, and the front inner wall 68 is slightly rearward (slightly the other side in the width direction) from the front outer wall 66. It extends downward from the front end of the upper wall 62. That is, the front outer wall 66 is arranged on the front side (one side in the width direction) with respect to the front inner wall 68. The front outer wall 66 is curved so as to be convex toward the front side (one side in the width direction) and the upper side. The front inner wall 68 is set to have a smaller dimension in the longitudinal direction of the movable cover 60 than the front outer wall 66, and the front inner wall 68 is not provided on the side of the plurality of reinforcing walls 76. The plurality of reinforcing ribs 70 are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the movable cover 60, and are integrally connected to the upper wall 62, the front outer wall 66, and the front inner wall 68.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the anterior outer wall 66 extends below the anterior inner wall 68, and the lower end of the anterior outer wall 66 is located below the lower end of the anterior inner wall 68. There is. The lower end of the front inner wall 68 and the lower end of the rear wall 72 are arranged at substantially the same position (height) in the vertical direction. Further, on the main lever 22 side of the plurality of reinforcing walls 76, the vertical dimension of the rear inner wall 74 is reduced, and the lower end portion of the rear inner wall 74 is smaller than the lower end portions of the front inner wall 68 and the rear wall 72. It is located on the upper side. Further, the rear wall 72 is formed so that the dimension (thickness) in the front-rear direction increases from the upper end side to the lower end side connected to the upper wall 62.

A grip portion 80 for gripping the longitudinal end portion of the blade rubber 14 is formed at one end portion in the longitudinal direction of each movable cover 60 (the end portion opposite to the main lever 22). The grip portion 80 has a pair of front and rear grip pieces 82 extending downward from the front wall 64 and the rear wall 72. The tip portions (lower end portions) of the gripping pieces 82 in the front-rear direction in the width direction are bent toward the side approaching each other, and are fitted in the pair of gripping grooves 18 described above. As a result, the longitudinal end portion of the blade rubber 14 is gripped by the grip portion 80.

The upper surface of each movable cover 60 configured as described above is composed of the upper surfaces of the upper wall 62 and the front outer wall 66. On the upper surface of each movable cover 60, fin surfaces (second fin surfaces) 84 having a downward slope toward the front side of the vehicle (that is, the front side in the width direction) are formed. Each fin surface 84 is formed on a portion of the upper surface of each upper wall 62 on the front side of the vehicle, and extends in the longitudinal direction of the movable cover 60. These fin surfaces 84 extend slightly to the rear side from the central portion in the front-rear direction (width direction) of each movable cover 60, and are curved so that the gradient increases toward the rear side. When these fin surfaces 84 receive the traveling wind when the vehicle is traveling, the pressing force on the wiping surface WS side acts on the blade rubber 14. The height dimension (vertical dimension) of each movable cover 60 on which each fin surface 84 is formed is larger on the rear side than on the front side in the front-rear direction (width direction).

Further, in each of the movable covers 60, a movable accommodating chamber 86 for accommodating a part of the yoke lever 96 is formed on the main lever 22 side of the plurality of reinforcing walls 76 described above. As shown in FIGS. 14, 15, 18, and 22, the movable accommodation chamber 86 is formed between the front wall 64 and the rear wall 72 on the lower side of the upper wall 62, and is formed on the lower side (wiping). It is open to the surface WS side) and the main lever 22 side. Further, the movable accommodation chamber 86 has a height dimension (vertical dimension) larger on the rear side than the front side in the front-rear direction (width direction). The rear inner wall 74 described above is provided near the central portion in the front-rear direction of the movable storage chamber 86, and the upper portion of the movable storage chamber 86 is partitioned back and forth by the rear inner wall 74.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 14, 16 to 18, and 22, at the other end of the movable cover 60 in the longitudinal direction (the end on the main lever 22 side), before and after the width direction of each movable accommodation chamber 86. Convex portions 88 and 90 are formed on both sides, respectively. Specifically, a convex portion 88 projecting to the rear side is formed at the lower end portion of the front inner wall 68 forming the front surface of the movable accommodation chamber 86, and the lower end portion of the rear wall 72 forming the rear surface of the movable accommodation chamber 86. In addition, a convex portion 90 protruding to the front side is formed. These convex portions 88 and 90 are arranged so as to face each other in the front-rear direction of the movable cover 60, and project in a direction in which they approach each other. Each of the convex portions 88 and 90 has a substantially semicircular shape when viewed in the front-rear direction, and is arranged in a posture in which an arcuate curved surface is convex upward. Further, the facing surfaces of the convex portions 88 and 90 (the surfaces facing the center side in the front-rear direction of the movable accommodation chamber 86) are inclined or curved so as to be outward in the front-rear direction toward the lower side.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 22, a pair of vertically extending slits 92 are formed on both sides of the movable cover 60 with respect to the convex portion 88 in the front inner wall 68 in the longitudinal direction. The front inner wall 68 has a flexible portion 68A at a portion between the pair of slits 92, that is, a portion where the convex portion 88 is formed, and both sides of the movable cover 60 in the longitudinal direction with respect to the flexible portion 68A. Each of the portions located in the above is a reinforcing portion 68B. The flexible portion 68A is not reinforced by the above-mentioned reinforcing rib 70, and the reinforcing portion 68B is reinforced by the above-mentioned reinforcing rib 70. Therefore, the flexible portion 68A is more likely to bend back and forth in the width direction than the reinforcing portion 68B.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 22, in the movable accommodation chamber 86, a notch portion 94 cut out from the lower side is formed at the lower end portion of the rear inner wall 74. The cutout portion 94 is formed in the vicinity of the above-mentioned convex portions 88 and 90.

(About the yoke lever)
The pair of yoke levers 96 are formed in a long shape having the longitudinal direction of the main lever 22 and each movable cover 60 as shown in FIGS. 5, 16, 18, 23 to 24. Has been done. Each yoke lever 96 is composed of a metal portion 98 made of metal (see FIGS. 25 to 27) and a yoke lever main body portion 108 as a resin portion made of resin provided on the outside of the metal portion 98. The metal portion 98 is embedded in the yoke lever main body portion 108 by, for example, insert molding. The metal portion 98 is not limited to the configuration in which the metal portion 98 is embedded in the yoke lever main body portion 108 as the resin portion, but also in a part of the metal portion (for example, the peripheral portion of the grip portion 110 and the recesses 114, 116, 118, 120 described later). A resin portion may be attached by outsert molding or the like.

The metal portion 98 is manufactured by press-molding a metal plate made of, for example, stainless steel, and has a long shape having a longitudinal direction of the yoke lever 96. The metal portion 98 is composed of a plate-shaped portion 98A whose vertical direction is the plate thickness direction and a reinforcing flange portion 98B extending upward from the widthwise rear end portion of the plate-shaped portion 98A in the longitudinal direction. The cross section seen from above is L-shaped.

A pair of through holes 100 and 102 are formed side by side in the longitudinal direction of the metal portion 98 in the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the metal portion 98. These through holes 100 and 102 are formed in a bent portion between the plate-shaped portion 98A and the reinforcing flange portion 98B. Further, at the upper end portion of the reinforcing flange portion 98B, a pair of protruding portions 104 and 106 protruding upward are formed side by side in the longitudinal direction of the metal portion 98. These protrusions 104 and 106 are arranged above the pair of through holes 100 and 102, and are formed in a substantially semicircular shape that is convex upward in the front-rear direction.

The yoke lever main body 108 in which the metal portion 98 is embedded is formed in the same shape as the metal portion 98, and has an L-shaped cross section when viewed from the longitudinal direction. Specifically, the yoke lever main body 108 is composed of a plate-shaped portion 108A whose vertical direction is the plate thickness direction and a vertical wall portion 108B extending upward from the rear end portion in the width direction of the plate-shaped portion 108A. The cross section seen from the longitudinal direction is L-shaped.

The plate-shaped portion 98A of the metal portion 98 is embedded in the plate-shaped portion 108A, and the reinforcing flange portion 98B of the metal portion 98 is embedded in the vertical wall portion 108B. The plate-shaped portion 108A constituting the lower portion of the yoke lever main body portion 108 is set to have a smaller dimension in the width direction than the vertical wall portion 108B constituting the upper portion of the yoke lever main body portion 108. Further, the yoke lever main body 108 (yoke lever 96) provided with the above-mentioned standing wall portion 108B has a height dimension (vertical dimension) enlarged in a stepped shape on the rear side rather than the front side in the width direction. The cross section seen from the longitudinal direction is L-shaped.

Gripping portions 110 for gripping the longitudinal intermediate portions of the blade rubber 14 are formed at both ends of the plate-shaped portion 108A in the longitudinal direction. Each grip portion 110 has a pair of front and rear grip pieces 112 extending downward from the front end portion and the rear end portion of the plate-shaped portion 108A. The tip portions (lower end portions) of the front and rear grip pieces 112 are bent toward the side approaching each other, and are fitted in the pair of gripping grooves 18 described above. As a result, the longitudinal intermediate portion of the blade rubber 14 is gripped by each grip portion 110. The grip piece 112 on the front side protrudes forward from the plate-shaped portion 108A and then extends downward, and is arranged on the front side of the plate-shaped portion. In other words, the plate-shaped portion 108A is cut out to the rear side between the gripping pieces 112 on the front side provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the plate-shaped portion 108A.

Further, a pair of recesses 114 and 116 arranged in the longitudinal direction of the yoke lever main body 108 are formed on the front surface of the longitudinal intermediate portion of the plate-shaped portion 108A, and the rear surface of the longitudinal intermediate portion of the plate-shaped portion 108A is formed. , A pair of recesses 118 and 120 arranged in the longitudinal direction of the yoke lever main body 108 are formed. The pair of recesses 114 and 116 and the pair of recesses 118 and 120 are arranged so as to be aligned in the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction of the yoke lever main body 108, and face each other in the front-rear direction (width direction). Further, the recesses 114, 116, 118, 120 described above are open to the outside and the lower side in the front-rear direction (width direction) (open to the outside and the lower side in the front-back direction), and have a substantially semicircular shape in the front-back direction. Is doing. These recesses 114, 116, 118, 120 are arranged in a posture in which an arcuate curved surface is convex upward. Further, the recesses 118 and 120 formed on the rear surface of the plate-shaped portion 108A are formed at positions corresponding to the pair of through holes 100 and 102 described above. As a result, while ensuring the wall thickness of the yoke lever main body 108 around the recesses 118 and 120, the front-rear direction dimension and the vertical direction dimension of the yoke lever main body portion 108 are reduced in size. The yoke lever main body 108 is a front protrusion (reference numeral omitted) in which the peripheral portions of the recesses 114 and 116 project forward, and the peripheral portions of the recesses 118 and 120 project rearward. Part (sign omitted).

Further, on the front surface in the width direction of the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the plate-shaped portion 108A, a plurality of front projections 122 projecting to the front side are formed side by side in the longitudinal direction of the yoke lever main body portion 108, and the plate-shaped portion 108A and the plate-shaped portion 108A and the plate-shaped portion 108A are formed. On the rear surface in the width direction of the longitudinal intermediate portion of the vertical wall portion 108B (the rear surface in the width direction of the longitudinal intermediate portion of the yoke lever main body 108), a plurality of rear projections 124 projecting to the rear side are provided on the yoke lever main body 108. It is formed side by side in the longitudinal direction of. The front protrusion 122 has a larger protrusion amount from the front surface of the plate-shaped portion 108A than the front protrusion (peripheral portions of the recesses 114 and 116), and the rear protrusion 124 has the rear protrusion (recessed portion 114, 116). The amount of protrusion from the rear surface of the yoke lever main body 108 is set to be larger than that of the peripheral portions of the recesses 118 and 120). The vertical dimension of the front projection 122 is set to be the same as the vertical dimension of the plate-shaped portion 108A, and the vertical dimension of the rear projection 124 is set to be the same as the vertical dimension of the yoke lever main body 108. There is.

Further, on the front surface of the vertical wall portion 108B in the width direction of the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction, a plurality of inner projections 126 projecting to the front side are formed side by side in the longitudinal direction of the yoke lever main body portion 108. The vertical dimension of these inner protrusions 126 is set to be the same as the vertical dimension of the vertical wall portion 108B. Further, a pair of engaging convex portions 128 and 130 projecting to the front side are formed side by side in the longitudinal direction of the yoke lever main body portion 108 on the front surface of the vertical wall portion 108B in the width direction of the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction. The pair of engaging protrusions 128 and 130 project forward from the standing wall portion 108B with respect to the plurality of inner protrusions 126, and are integrally connected to the upper surface of the plate-shaped portion 108A. That is, the pair of engaging convex portions 128 and 130 are provided straddling both at the boundary portion between the vertical wall portion 108B and the plate-shaped portion 108A. Further, the pair of engaging protrusions 128 and 130 are set to have smaller vertical dimensions than the plurality of inner protrusions 126. The pair of engaging protrusions 128 and 130 are formed in the vicinity of the pair of recesses 114 and 116 and the pair of recesses 118 and 120 described above.

Further, on the upper surface of the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the vertical wall portion 108B, a pair of rear pressure portions 132 and 134 protruding upward are formed side by side in the longitudinal direction of the yoke lever main body portion 108. These rear pressurizing portions 132 and 134 are arranged above the pair of recesses 118 and 120 described above, and have a substantially semicircular shape that is convex upward in the front-rear direction. The pair of protrusions 104 and 106 described above are embedded in the rear pressurizing portions 132 and 134. Further, a pair of contact portions 136 and 138 protruding upward are formed on the upper surfaces of both ends of the vertical wall portion 108B in the longitudinal direction.

The yoke lever 96 having the above configuration is accommodated in the longitudinal direction over the inside of the main accommodation chamber 48 of the main lever 22 and the inside of the movable accommodation chamber 86 of the movable cover 60, and has a width with respect to the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60. It is rotatably connected around an axis extending in the direction (front-back direction). Specifically, the convex portions 52 and 54 coaxially arranged on the main lever 22 are fitted into the concave portions 114 and 118 of the yoke lever 96 so that the main lever 22 and the yoke lever 96 can rotate. The movable cover 60 and the yoke lever 96 can be rotated by fitting the convex portions 88 and 90 coaxially arranged on the movable cover 60 into the concave portions 116 and 120 of the yoke lever 96. It is connected. That is, the yoke lever 96 is rotatably connected to the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60 at the lower plate-shaped portion 108A which is wider in the front-rear direction than the upper standing wall portion 108B. Further, the yoke lever 96 is rotatably connected to the front inner wall 36 and the rear wall 40 of the main lever 22, and is rotatably connected to the front inner wall 68 and the rear wall 72 of the movable cover 60. ing.

As shown in FIGS. 12 to 15, a plate shape of a yoke lever 96 is formed between the front inner wall 36 and the rear wall 40 of the main lever 22 and between the front inner wall 68 and the rear wall 72 of the movable cover 60. Section 108A is housed. Further, the vertical wall portion 108B of the yoke lever 96 is housed between the rear inner wall 42 and the rear wall 40 of the main lever 22 and between the rear inner wall 74 and the rear wall 72 of the movable cover 60. That is, the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60 have a pair of facing walls (rear wall 40 and rear inner wall 42, rear wall 72 and rear inner wall 74) facing each other with the standing wall portion 108B sandwiched in the front-rear direction.

Of the grip portions 110 provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the yoke lever 96, the grip portion 110 on the main lever 22 side is between the front inner wall 36 of the main lever 22 and the reinforcing wall 50 (see FIGS. 20 and 21). It is housed in the main containment room 48 so that it can appear and disappear. Further, the grip portion 110 on the opposite side of the main lever 22 is housed in the movable storage chamber 86 between the front inner wall 68 and the reinforcing wall 76 of the movable cover 60 so as to be able to appear and disappear.

Of the rear pressure portions 132 and 134 and the contact portions 136 and 138 protruding from the upper surface of the vertical wall portion 108B provided at the rear of the yoke lever 96, the rear pressure portion 132 and the contact portion 136 are the main storage chamber 48. The rear pressure portion 134 and the contact portion 138 are in contact with the upper surface of the movable storage chamber 86 (lower surface of the upper wall 62). The rear pressure portions 132 and 134 (standing wall portions 108B) are arranged on the rear side of the fin surfaces 46 and 84, and are arranged above and on the rear side with respect to the blade rubber 14.

The plurality of front projections 122 formed on the yoke lever 96 project toward the reinforcing portion 36B side provided on the front wall 32 of the main lever 22 and the reinforcing portion 68B side provided on the front wall 64 of the movable cover 60. It is in contact with or close to the reinforcing portions 36B and 68B. Further, the plurality of inner protrusions 126 formed on the yoke lever 96 project toward the rear inner wall 42 side of the main lever 22 and the rear inner wall 74 side of the movable cover 60, and come into contact with the rear inner walls 42 and 74. Or they are close to each other. Further, the plurality of rear projections 124 formed on the yoke lever 96 project toward the rear wall 40 side of the main lever 22 and the rear wall 72 side of the movable cover 60, with respect to the rear walls 40 and 72. They are in contact with each other or are in close proximity to each other. In the present embodiment, the plurality of rear projections 124 are in contact with or close to each other from the upper part to the lower part of the rear walls 40 and 72, but the present invention is not limited to this. It may be at least as long as it is in contact with or close to the upper side.

Further, of the pair of engaging convex portions 128 and 130 formed on the yoke lever 96, the engaging convex portion 128 is arranged in the notch 58 (see FIG. 21) formed on the rear inner wall 42 of the main lever 22. The engaging protrusion 130 is arranged in a notch 94 (see FIG. 22) formed in the rear inner wall 74 of the movable cover 60. These engaging protrusions 128, 130 and notches 58, 94 constitute a load transmission portion (reference numeral omitted). This load transmitting portion applies a load acting along the longitudinal direction between the main lever 22, the movable cover 60, and the yoke lever 96 to engage the engaging convex portion 128 and the end portion of the notch portion 58. , And the end of the notch 94 is engaged with the engaging convex portion 130 to receive the engagement.

(Action and effect)
Next, the operation and effect of this embodiment will be described.

In the wiper blade 10 having the above configuration, the blade rubber 14 is gripped by the wiper lever assembly 20 having a tournament structure. In the wiper lever assembly 20, a pair of movable covers 60 are continuously arranged on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the main lever 22 in which the tip end portion of the wiper arm 12 is connected to the central portion in the longitudinal direction. Fin surfaces 46 and 84 having a downward slope toward the front side in the width direction (front side of the vehicle) are formed on the upper surfaces of both sides of the main lever 22 in the longitudinal direction and the upper surfaces of the movable covers 60, respectively. The main lever 22 and each movable cover 60 are rotatably connected to the pair of yoke levers 96 around an axis extending in the width direction. Further, the blade rubber 14 is gripped by the grip portion 80 provided on the side opposite to the main lever 22 in each movable cover 60 and the grip portions 110 provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of each yoke lever 96. .. As a result, the pressing force applied to the main lever 22 from the wiper arm 12 is distributed and dispersed in the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber 14 via the backing composed of the yoke lever 96 and the metal leaf spring material, and thus wiped off. The distributed pressure on the surface WS becomes uniform, and the wiping performance becomes good.

Further, in the wiper blade 10, both sides of the main lever 22 in the longitudinal direction and each movable cover 60 face the front walls 32, 64 and the rear walls 40, 72 in the width direction, respectively, and the front walls 32, 64 and the rear walls 40, respectively. , 72 has upper walls 30 and 62 connected in the width direction, and the front walls 32 and 64 are on the front side (width) with respect to the front inner walls 36 and 68 and the front inner walls 36 and 68, respectively. It has front outer walls 34, 66 arranged on one side in the direction). Each yoke lever 96 is rotatably connected to the front inner walls 36, 68 and the rear walls 40, 72, and each of the first fin surface 46 and each second fin surface 84 is an upper wall, respectively. It is formed on the upper surfaces of 30, 62 and the front outer walls 34 and 66. That is, the front walls 32 and 64 have two front inner walls 36 and 68 that are rotationally connected to each yoke lever 96 and front outer walls 34 and 66 that form the front portions of the fin surfaces 46 and 84. It has a heavy structure. Since the front outer walls 34 and 66 are arranged on the front side (one side in the width direction) with respect to the front inner walls 36 and 68, the fin surfaces 46 and 84 having a downward slope toward the front side (one side in the width direction) are formed. , Can be expanded (extended) to one side in the width direction. As a result, the gradient of each of the fin surfaces 46 and 84 can be gently set on one side in the width direction, so that the aerodynamic characteristics can be improved.

Further, in the present embodiment, the height dimension H1 (see FIG. 13) is provided on both sides of the main lever 22 in the longitudinal direction so as to be open on the wiping surface WS side (lower side) and on the rear side rather than the front side in the width direction. Each of the enlarged main storage chambers 48 is formed, and each movable cover 60 is opened to the wiping surface WS side (lower side) and has a height dimension H2 on the rear side rather than the front side in the width direction (FIG. An enlarged movable containment chamber 86 (see 15) is formed. Then, a pair of yoke levers 96 accommodated in each main accommodation chamber 48 and each movable accommodation chamber 86 can rotate about an axis extending in the width direction with respect to the main lever 22 and each movable cover 60. Is linked to. As described above, the yoke lever 96 accommodated in the main accommodation chamber 48 and the movable accommodation chamber 86 has a height dimension expanded on the rear side rather than the front side in the width direction. While ensuring the strength of the yoke lever 96, the yoke lever 96 can be compactly accommodated in the main accommodation chamber 48 and the movable accommodation chamber 86. Moreover, the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60 having fin surfaces 46 and 84 having a downward slope toward the front side in the width direction (front side of the vehicle) formed on the upper surface as described above are rearward of the front side in the width direction. Since the height dimension is larger on the side, even if the main accommodation chamber 48 and the movable accommodation chamber 86 having the height dimension expanded on the rear side rather than the front side in the width direction are formed as described above, the height is high. The increase in dimension can be suppressed. As a result, in the wiper blade 10 (wiper lever assembly 20), the height of protrusion from the wiping surface WS can be suppressed to a low level, so that the aerodynamic characteristics can be improved.

Further, when the fin surface 84 of the movable cover 60 receives the traveling wind, a pressing force is generated on the movable cover 60 itself and is pressed against the blade rubber 14, particularly the tip portion of the blade rubber 14 held by the grip portion 80 of the movable cover 60. Since the pressure is applied, it is possible to urge the tip portion of the wiping surface WS to wipe a large portion of the curved curvature of the wiping surface WS as a pressing force while keeping the height of protrusion from the wiping surface WS low.

The above aerodynamic characteristics will be supplementarily described. In order to improve the aerodynamic characteristics of the wiper blade 10 (wiper lever assembly 20), in addition to setting the height dimensions of the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60 to be small, the fin surface 46 of the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60. , 84 is preferably gently inclined or curved (to make the gradient gentle) from the windward to the leeward of the traveling wind. For that purpose, it is necessary to lower the height dimension (vertical dimension) of each arm portion 22B of the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60 toward the front side in the width direction (one side in the width direction). In this respect, in the present embodiment, the fin surfaces 46 and 84 can be extended to the front side (one side in the width direction) by the front outer walls 34 and 66 extending from the front ends of the upper walls 30 and 62 to the front side and the lower side. The gradient of the fin surfaces 46 and 84 on one side in the width direction can be made gentle. Moreover, in the present embodiment, the yoke lever 96 has an enlarged height dimension on the rear side rather than the front side in the width direction, and the height dimension is lower on the front side in the width direction. The degree of freedom in setting the shapes of the arm portion 22B and the movable cover 60 is increased, and the fin surfaces 46 and 84 can be easily set to a preferable shape. As a result, the aerodynamic characteristics (particularly the reduction of lift) can be dramatically improved.

Further, the yoke lever 96 is formed in an L shape in the longitudinal direction, and the height dimension is enlarged in a stepped shape (stepped shape) on the rear side rather than the front side. Therefore, while the strength of the yoke lever 96 can be efficiently secured, the yoke lever 96 can be compactly accommodated in the main accommodation chamber 48 and the movable accommodation chamber 86, so that the wiping surface WS of the wiper lever assembly 20 can be accommodated. The height of protrusion from the lever can be kept low to further improve the aerodynamic characteristics.

Moreover, in the above-mentioned yoke lever 96, since the metal portion 98 made of metal is embedded in the yoke lever main body portion 108 made of resin, the yoke is compared with the case where the yoke lever 96 is composed of only the resin portion. It becomes easy to secure the strength of the lever and to reduce the size. Further, since the exposure of the metal portion 98 is reduced, painting for rust prevention and anti-glare (generally black painting) can be eliminated, which also contributes to reduction of manufacturing cost.

Further, in the present embodiment, the convex portions 52, 54, 88, 90 formed on the front inner walls 36, 68 and the rear walls 40, 72 have four concave portions 114 formed on both front and rear surfaces of the yoke lever 96 in the width direction. , 118, 116, 120, respectively, thereby rotatably connecting the yoke lever 96 to the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60. Thereby, for example, as compared with the case where the main lever 22, the movable cover 60, and the yoke lever 96 are rotatably connected by using a shaft member, each rotation of the main lever 22, the movable cover 60, and the yoke lever 96 is performed. The configuration and assembly of the connecting part is simplified.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, the four recesses 114, 116, 118, 120 formed on both sides of the yoke lever 96 in the front-rear direction are open on the outside and the lower side in the front-rear direction, and are substantially semicircular in the front-rear direction. It is formed in a shape. Thereby, for example, the height dimension of the yoke lever 96 can be set smaller than that in the case where the recesses 114, 116, 118, and 120 are formed in a circular shape in the front-rear direction. As a result, in the wiper lever assembly 20, the height of protrusion from the wiping surface WS can be further suppressed.

Further, in the present embodiment, the yoke lever 96 is rotatably connected to the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60 at the lower plate-shaped portion 108A which is wider in the front-rear direction than the upper standing wall portion 108B. As a result, the axial length of each rotation connecting portion between the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60 and the yoke lever 96 can be set longer in the width direction, so that the posture (longitudinal length) of the yoke lever 96 with respect to the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60 can be set. It is possible to suppress changes in the posture seen from the direction, that is, the tilting posture.

Further, in the present embodiment, a standing wall portion 108B protruding upward is formed on the rear side of the yoke lever 96, and the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60 are a pair of facing each other with the standing wall portion 108B sandwiched in the front-rear direction. It has facing walls (rear wall 40 and rear inner wall 42, and rear wall 72 and rear inner wall 74). Thereby, the rattling of the yoke lever 96 with respect to the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60 can be suppressed by the engagement between the pair of facing walls and the standing wall portion 108B.

Further, in the present embodiment, the upper surface of the vertical wall portion 108B provided on the rear side of the yoke lever 96 has a pair of rear sides in contact with the upper surface of the rear side of the main storage chamber 48 and the upper surface of the rear side of the movable storage chamber 86. Pressurizing portions 132 and 134 are provided. As a result, the pressing force from the wiper arm 12, the reaction force from the wiping surface WS, the pressing force converted by receiving the running wind, and the like are passed through the pair of rear pressurizing portions 132 and 134 to the yoke lever 96 and the main lever. Since it is transmitted between the 22 and the movable cover 60, it is possible to prevent or suppress the application of the above force to each rotation connecting portion between the yoke lever 96 and the main lever 22. As a result, the connection strength of each of the rotary connecting portions can be designed to be low (for example, the recesses 114 and 118 of the yoke lever 96 can be made into a semicircular shape or a substantially semicircular shape when viewed in the front-rear direction). The size can be reduced in the height direction, and the protruding height of the wiper lever assembly 20 (wiper blade 10) from the wiping surface WS can be further suppressed. Moreover, since the rear pressure portions 132 and 134 (standing wall portions 108B) are arranged on the rear side of the fin surfaces 46 and 84, the rear pressure portions 132 and 134 are on the fin surfaces 46 and 84. It is possible to prevent or suppress the restriction on the shape, and the degree of freedom in setting the shape of the fin surfaces 46 and 84 is improved.

Further, in the present embodiment, the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60 have front walls 32 and 64 forming the front surfaces of the main storage chamber 48 and the movable storage chamber 86, and the front walls 32 and 64 have the front walls 32 and 64. It has flexible portions 36A and 68A in which the convex portions 52 and 88 are formed, and reinforcing portions 36B and 68B which are reinforced more than the flexible portions 36A and 68A. Therefore, the convex portions 52, 54, 88, 90 formed on both the front and rear sides of the main accommodation chamber 48 and the movable accommodation chamber 86 are the recesses 114, 118 formed on both the front and rear sides of the yoke lever 96 in the width direction. , 116, 120, respectively, when the flexible portions 36A, 68A are bent, the convex portions 52, 88 formed in these flexible portions 36A, 68A are recessed in the yoke lever 96. It can be easily fitted into 114 and 116.

Moreover, when a load in the width direction (wiping direction) acts between the yoke lever 96, the main lever 22, and the movable cover 60, the yoke lever 96 can be brought into contact with the reinforcing portions 36B and 68B. A plurality of front projections 122 projecting abut on the main lever 22 and the reinforcing portions 36B and 68B provided on the front walls 32 and 64 of the movable cover 60. As a result, it is possible to prevent or suppress the application of the above load to the flexible portions 36A and 68A, so that the convex portions 52 and 88 formed on the flexible portions 36A and 68A are carelessly prepared from the concave portions 114 and 116 of the yoke lever 96. It can be prevented from coming off.

Further, in the present embodiment, the reinforcing portions 36B and 68B of the front inner walls 36 and 68 of the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60 are in the front-rear direction (width direction) with the front outer walls 34 and 66 by the reinforcing ribs 38 and 70. It is connected. As a result, the reinforcing portions 36B and 68B can be reinforced with a simple configuration.

Further, in the present embodiment, the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60 have the rear walls 40 and 72 forming the rear surfaces of the main accommodation chamber 48 and the movable accommodation chamber 86, and the rear walls 40 and 72 are on the lower side from the rear end portion. It has upper walls 30 and 62 extending to, respectively, and convex portions 54 and 90 are formed at the lower ends of the rear walls 40 and 72, respectively. Therefore, the convex portions 52, 54, 88, 90 formed on both the front and rear sides of the main storage chamber 48 and the movable storage chamber 86 are formed on both sides of the yoke lever 96 in the front and rear width directions, and the four concave portions 114 are formed. , 118, 116, 120, respectively, when the rear walls 40, 72 are bent, the convex portions 54, 90 formed at the lower ends of the rear walls 40, 72 are formed by the yoke lever. It can be easily fitted into the recesses 114 and 116 of 96.

Moreover, when a load in the width direction (wiping direction) acts between the yoke lever 96, the main lever 22, and the movable cover 60, a plurality of rear projections 124 protruding from the yoke lever 96 form a rear wall. By abutting on the upper side of the rear walls 40 and 72 (that is, a portion that is less likely to bend back and forth than the lower side of the rear walls 40 and 72), the distance from the bending fulcrum is shortened and the bending of the rear walls 40 and 72 can be suppressed. can. As a result, it is possible to prevent the convex portions 54 and 90 formed on the rear walls 40 and 72 from being inadvertently detached from the concave portions 114 and 116 of the yoke lever 96.

Further, in the present embodiment, the front outer walls 34 and 66 of the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60 are curved so as to be convex toward the front side (one side in the width direction) and the upper side. As a result, the airflow that interferes with the front outer walls 34 and 66 from one side in the width direction can easily flow smoothly to the upper surface side of the upper walls 30 and 62. Moreover, the front outer walls 34 and 66 extend below the front inner walls 36 and 68. As a result, while the front outer walls 34 and 66 are reinforced by the front inner walls 36 and 68, they collide with snow and the like accumulated near the lower inversion position of the wiping surface WS and infiltrate into the internal space of the wiper lever assembly 20. It can be prevented from being lost.

Further, in the present embodiment, the plurality of front projections 122, the plurality of rear projections 124, and the plurality of medial projections 126 protruding from the yoke lever 96 are the front inner walls 36, 68, and the rear walls of the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60. It makes point-like contact with the 40, 72, and the rear inner walls 42, 74, respectively. Therefore, the dimensions can be easily controlled as compared with the configuration in which the yoke lever 96 is in contact with each wall in a wide area in a planar manner.

Further, in the present embodiment, the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60 are composed of notches 58 and 94 formed in the rear inner walls 42 and 74, and engaging protrusions 128 and 130 provided in the yoke lever 96. It is equipped with a load transmission unit. In this load transmitting portion, the load acting along the longitudinal direction between the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60 and the yoke lever 96 is applied to the ends of the notches 58 and 94 and the engaging convex portion 128. It is received by the engagement with 130. Thereby, it is possible to prevent or suppress the above-mentioned load from acting on each rotation connecting portion of the yoke lever 96, the main lever 22, and the movable cover 60.

Next, the aerodynamic characteristics of the wiper blade 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 28 to 30. 28 is an aerodynamic analysis diagram of the wiper blade 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 29 is an aerodynamic analysis diagram of the wiper blade 200 according to the first comparative example, and FIG. 30 is a second comparative example. It is an aerodynamic analysis diagram of the said wiper blade 300. The wiper blades 200 and 300 are wiper blades having a conventional tournament structure. The yoke levers (reference numerals omitted) provided on the wiper blades 200 and 300 have a larger height dimension than the yoke lever 96 provided on the wiper blades 10. Further, in this aerodynamic analysis, the height dimension of the wiper blade 10 <the height dimension of the wiper blade 200 <the height dimension of the wiper blade 300 is set.

For each of the wiper blades 10, 200, and 300, the lift and drag acting on each wiper blade when the vehicle traveling speed was set to 200 km / h were analyzed. As a result, both the lift and the drag force were wiper blade 10 <wiper blade 200 <wiper blade 300, and in particular, the lift of the wiper blade 10 was extremely small, about 1/7 of that of the wiper blade 200. By this aerodynamic analysis, it was confirmed that the aerodynamic characteristics of the wiper blade 10 according to the present embodiment are dramatically improved.

In the above embodiment, a pair of rear side additions that are in contact with the upper surface of the rear side of the yoke lever 96 (the upper surface of the vertical wall portion 98B), the upper surface of the rear side of the main storage chamber 48, and the upper surface of the rear side of the movable storage chamber 86. The configuration is such that the pressing portions 132 and 134 are provided, but the configuration is not limited to this. That is, as in the modified examples shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the upper surface on the front side of the yoke lever 96 (the upper surface of the plate-shaped portion 108A), the upper surface on the front side of the main storage chamber 48, and the movable storage chamber 86. A pair of front pressurizing portions 140, 142 in contact with the upper surface on the front portion side of the above may be provided.

In this modification, the pressing force from the wiper arm 12 and the reaction force from the wiping surface WS are applied between the yoke lever 96, the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60 via the pair of front pressurizing portions 140 and 142. Since it is transmitted, it is possible to prevent or suppress the application of the above force to each rotation connecting portion between the yoke lever 96, the main lever 22, and the movable cover 60. As a result, each of the rotary connecting portions can be miniaturized in the height direction of the yoke lever 96. As a result, the protrusion height of the wiper lever assembly 20 (wiper blade 10) from the wiping surface WS can be further suppressed as in the above embodiment. Moreover, since the front pressurizing portions 140 and 142 are arranged above the blade rubber 14, the pressing force from the wiper arm 12 is applied to the blade rubber 14 from above (without being offset back and forth). Can be done.

In addition, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the gist thereof. Moreover, it goes without saying that the scope of rights of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

10 ... Wiper blade, 12 ... Wiper arm, 14 ... Blade rubber, 20 ... Wiper lever assembly, 22 ... Main lever, 30 ... Upper wall, 32 ... Front wall, 34 ... front outer wall, 36 ... front inner wall, 36A ... flexible part, 36B ... reinforcing part, 38 ... reinforcing rib, 40 ... rear wall, 46 ... fin surface (No. 1) 1 fin surface), 52, 54 ... convex part, 60 ... movable cover, 62 ... upper wall, 64 ... front wall, 66 ... front outer wall, 68 ... front inner wall, 68A ... Flexible part, 68B ... Reinforcing part, 70 ... Reinforcing rib, 72 ... Rear wall, 80 ... Grip part, 84 ... Fin surface (second fin surface), 88, 90 ... convex part, 96 ... yoke lever, 110 ... grip part, 114, 116, 118, 120 ... concave part, 122 ... front protrusion, 124 ... rear protrusion, 128

Claims (7)

A main lever in which the tip of the wiper arm is connected to the central portion in the longitudinal direction and the first fin surface having a downward slope toward one side in the width direction is formed on the upper surfaces on both sides in the longitudinal direction.
The main lever is continuously arranged on both sides in the longitudinal direction, and a second fin surface having a downward gradient toward one side in the width direction is formed on the upper surface in continuous with the first fin surface, which is opposite to the main lever. A pair of movable covers provided with a grip on the side to grip the blade rubber,
A pair of yoke levers rotatably connected to the main lever and each movable cover around an axis extending in the width direction, and provided with grips for gripping the blade rubber at both ends in the longitudinal direction.
Equipped with
Both sides of the main lever in the longitudinal direction and each movable cover have a front wall and a rear wall facing each other in the width direction, and an upper wall connecting the upper ends of the front wall and the rear wall in the width direction, respectively. Cover,
Each of the front walls has a front inner wall and a front outer wall formed continuously from the front inner wall to the upper wall toward one side in the width direction.
Each of the yoke levers is rotatably connected to each of the front inner wall and each of the rear walls.
Each of the first fin surface and each of the second fin surfaces is a wiper lever assembly formed on the upper surface of each of the upper wall and the front outer wall, respectively. One of the concave portions and the convex portions formed on the front inner wall and the rear wall thereof is fitted into the other of the four convex portions and the concave portions formed on both sides of the yoke lever in the width direction, respectively, and the yoke lever is formed. The wiper lever assembly according to claim 1, which is rotatably connected to the main lever and the movable cover. Each of the front inner walls has a flexible portion in which one of the concave portion and the convex portion is formed, and a reinforcing portion reinforced by the flexible portion.
The wiper lever assembly according to claim 2, wherein the yoke lever is formed with a front projection that protrudes so as to be in contact with the reinforcing portion. The wiper lever assembly according to claim 3, wherein the reinforcing portion of each front inner wall is reinforced by a reinforcing rib connecting each front inner wall and each front outer wall in the width direction. The convex portion is formed on the lower side of each of the rear walls.
The wiper lever according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the yoke lever is formed with a rear projection that protrudes so as to be abuttable on the upper side of the convex portion of each rear wall. Assembly. The wiper lever assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each front outer wall extends downward from each front inner wall. Blade rubber for wiping the wiping surface of the vehicle and
The wiper lever assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the blade rubber is gripped by the grip portion provided on the pair of movable covers and the pair of yoke levers.
Wiper blade with.

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