JPS6291342A - Housing type wiper - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make a housing space smaller by providing a first arm which is installed on the rotary shaft of a wiper arm and which makes a rotary motion within a defined angle, a second arm one end of which is installed on a wiper blade while the other end is supported by said first arm, and a means of extending and contracting the total length of both arms. CONSTITUTION:When a wiper is not in use, a second arm 56 is rotated and folded with respect to a first arm 58, or the second arm 56 is slid in the longitudinal direction of the first arm 58, to reduce the total length of the first arm 56 and the second arm 56. In this condition, the wiper assembly 10 is housed in a housing chamber 16. When the wiper is to be used, the second arm 56 is extended from the first arm 58, to carry out a wiping operation. Accordingly, the space of the housing chamber 16 can be made smaller, while enabling the whole device to be miniaturized.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a retractable wiper in which a wiper assembly is stored in a storage chamber provided in a vehicle body near a windshield.

[Conventional technology]

With this type of retractable wiper, there is a step between the hood and the windshield due to the arrangement of the wiper assembly.

For this reason, the air resistance of the vehicle increases and the style of the vehicle deteriorates. Furthermore, even when the wiper is not in use, a portion of the wiper assembly protrudes from the outer surface of the vehicle, resulting in interference with the vehicle cover, car wash equipment, etc., and unreasonable external force may be applied to the wiper assembly.

Furthermore, since the overall length of the wiper blade and wiper arm is long, it is necessary to increase the storage space for the wiper assembly, making the entire device large.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

The present invention can reduce the air resistance of the vehicle, improve the style of the vehicle, protect the wiper assembly from external forces when the wiper is not in use, and reduce the storage space for the wiper assembly to make the device more compact. The purpose is to provide a retractable wiper that can

[Means for solving problems]

The present invention is a retractable wiper that stores the wiper assembly in a storage chamber provided in the vehicle body near the windshield when the wiper is not in use, and raises the wiper assembly to operate the wiper when the wiper is in use. a first arm that rotates within a certain angle; a second arm that has one end attached to the wiper blade and the other end supported by the first arm; and an arm that extends and contracts the entire length of the first arm and the second arm. has the means and.

[Effect]

When the wiper is not in use, the second arm is rotated and bent relative to the first arm, or the second arm is slid in the longitudinal direction of the first arm, thereby shortening the overall length of the first arm and the second arm. In this state, the wiper assembly is stored in the storage chamber.

When using the wiper, raise the wiper assembly and
After extending the second arm relative to the arm, the wiping operation is performed.

〔Example〕

The present invention will be explained in detail according to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 3, the wiper assembly 10 includes a storage chamber 16 provided between a windshield 12 and a hood 14.
is stored in.

The storage chamber 16 is formed by a cowl inner 18 that extends horizontally over a front pillar (not shown).

An end portion of the cowl inner 18 on the vehicle rear side is adhered to the windshield 12 with an adhesive 20. Cowl inner 1
A beam reinforcement 22 is provided on the front side of the vehicle 8, the end of which is overlapped with the end of the cowl inner 18, and a weather strip holding portion 24 is sandwiched therebetween. On the other hand, a weather strip holding section 24 is provided on the back side of the hood 14.
A weather strip seal portion 26 is attached to face the hood 14 and the cowl inner 18 to ensure a tight seal between the hood 14 and the cowl inner 18.

As shown in FIG. 2(A), an opening 29 between the windshield 12 and the hood 14 is formed by cutting out the hood 14 into a substantially rectangular shape. This frontage 29 is the louver 28
can be slid closed. Figure 3 (
In the state shown in A), the surfaces of the windshield 12 near the louver 28, the surface of the hood 14, and the surface of the louver 28 are flush with each other, so that the air resistance of the vehicle is reduced.

As shown in FIG. 1, a portion of the louver 28 has an opening 29.
a pair of guide rails 30.3 provided along the edges of the
It is designed to slide guided by 2. As shown in FIG. 4, both ends of the slider 11 are engaged so as to be movable along the guide rail 30. A rack 13 is formed at the side end of the slider 11 and meshes with a pinion 15. The pinion 15 is fixed to the body via a louver motor 34 shown in FIG. On the other hand, brackets 17 and 19 are protruded from the lower surface of the louver 28. A long hole 21 is bored in the bracket 17, into which a pin 23 protruding from the slider 11 is fitted. Further, the bracket 19 is pivotally supported by one end portion of a link par 25 that is pivotally supported by the slider 11. An end of a torsion spring 27 is locked to the other end of the link par 25 and the slider 11, and urges the link par 25 in the direction of arrow P. A safety plate 29 is fixedly installed on the body side to prevent the linker 25 from rotating in the direction opposite to the direction of arrow P and standing up.

A stopper 31 is fixed to the upper end of the guide rail 30 to restrict movement of the bracket 17 toward the windshield 12 side.

When the pinion 15 is rotated counterclockwise from the open state of the louver 28 shown in FIG. 4(A), the louver 28 is rotated until the bracket 17 comes into contact with the stopper 31 as shown in FIG. 4(B). Slide toward the windshield 12.

When the pinion 15 is further rotated in the above direction, the pin 23
is guided into the elongated hole 21, and the tip of the slider 11 comes into contact with it. At this time, the bracket 19 moves toward the lower end of the guide rail 30 relative to the slider 11. For this reason,
The linker 25 rotates clockwise against the urging force of the torsion spring 27 and stands up, and the upper end of the louver 28 comes into contact with the upper surface of the lower end of the windshield 12, as shown in FIG. 4(C).

The guide rail 32 side of the louver 28 is driven by the same rack and pinion configuration as described above by transmitting the rotational force of the louver motor 34 via a cable housed in a pipe 36.

A driving section of the wiper assembly 10 is housed in a wiper box 38. This wiper box 38 is pivotally supported by a pair of hinges 40 fixed to the reinforcement 22, and is rotatable about a fulcrum 42. The drive source for this rotation is the pop-up motor 44.

A worm (not shown) is attached to the rotating shaft of the pop-up motor 44, and meshes with a worm wheel (not shown) housed in a case 46. This pop-up motor 44 is fixed to a case 46.

The case 46 is fixed to an reinforcement (not shown), that is, a side wall of the storage chamber 16, through a protrusion 48, which is perpendicular to the cowl inner 18. An arm 50 is attached to the rotation shaft 49 of the worm wheel. arm 50
The tip of the wiper box 38 is connected to the side surface of the wiper box 38 by a rod 52, and the wiper box 38 is rotated about the fulcrum 42 by rotation of the arm 50.

Therefore, from the state shown in FIG. 3(A), the louver motor 3
When the wiper assembly 10 is rotated in the normal direction, the louver 28 is slid to open the opening 29, and the pop-up motor 44 is rotated in the normal direction, the wiper assembly 10 is in a popped-up state as shown in FIG. 3(B).

As shown in FIG. 1, the wiper assembly 10 is provided with a wiper blade 54 for wiping away raindrops etc. adhering to the windshield 12. A central portion of the wiper blade 54 is supported by a first arm 58 via a second arm 56. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the second arm 5
6 is pivotally supported by the first arm 58 by an arm bending/extending shaft 60 fixed thereto. A pinion 62 is fixed coaxially to the arm bending/extending shaft 60 and is housed in the first arm 58 . Further, the first arm 58 has a rod 64.
is built in, and a rack 66 that meshes with a pinion 62 is provided at one end thereof. The other end of the rod 64 is connected to a crank arm 70 by a pin 68. Therefore, when the crank arm 70 rotates, the rod 64 moves linearly, the pinion 62 rotates, and the second arm 56 rotates about the arm bending/extending shaft 60. That is, the second arm 56 is replaced by the first arm 5.
It can be folded up to 8.

Therefore, the space of the storage chamber 16 can be narrowed and the entire device can be downsized.

As shown in FIG. 8, the rod 57 is pivotally supported by the first arm 58 to the second arm of the second arm 56 by an arm bending/extending shaft 60. As shown in FIG. The second arm head 57 pivotally supports one end of the retainer 61 via a pin 59. One end of a second arm piece 63 is fixed to the other end of the retainer 61 .

A wiper blade 54 shown in FIG. 1 is fixed to the other end of the second arm piece 63. Second arm piece 63
A hook 65 is formed at one end and locks one end of a tension coil spring 67. Further, on the right side of FIG. 8(A) near the arm bending/extending shaft 60, a hook 69 is protruded at a position a distance away from the arm bending/extending shaft 60, and is used to lock the other end of the tension coil spring 67. ing.

As shown in FIG. 8(A), when the second arm 56 is extended relative to the first arm 5B, a counterclockwise moment about the pin 59 is applied to the second arm due to the biasing force of the tension coil spring 67. Joins piece 63. Thereby, the wiper blade 54 presses the windshield 12.

As shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 8(A), when the second arm 56 is folded, the length of the tension coil spring 67 is 2D shorter than when the second arm 56 is extended. The tensile force of the coil spring 67 becomes smaller. Therefore, the wiper blade 54
The drag force received from the wiper blade 54 is reduced, and when the wiper blade 54 is not in use, no excessive force is applied to the wiper blade 54, and deformation of the rubber of the wiper blade 54, that is, deterioration of the wiping function of the wiper blade 54, can be prevented.

Note that a compression coil spring may be used instead of the tension coil spring 67, and in this case, the hook 69
Instead of 0, a spring receiver is provided on the left side and above the arm index shaft 60 shown in FIG. 8(A).

The crank arm 70 is fixed to one end of an arm bending/extending drive shaft 72 . The arm bending/extending drive shaft 72 is supported by an inner bearing 74 which is a wiper arm rotating shaft. The tip of the inner bearing 74 is fixed to the first arm 58 with a nut 76. A worm wheel 78 is fixed to the lower end of the arm bending/extending drive shaft 72, and a worm 80 meshes with the worm wheel 78. The worm wheel 78 and the worm 80 are housed in a case 82 from which the inner bearing 74 projects.

This worm 80 is rotatably driven by an arm bending/extending motor 84 fixed to the case 82. The inner bearing 74 is pivotally supported by the outer shaft bone 86, and includes the first arm 58, the inner bearing 74, the case 82, and the arm bending/extending motor 84.
is designed to rotate integrally. This external axis bone 86
is fixed to the upper plate 88 of the wiper box 38, as shown in FIG.

The arm bending/extending motor 84 is disposed on the opposite side of the first arm 58 with respect to the arm bending/extending drive shaft 72, and is centered around the inner bearing 74 based on the gravity acting on the wiper blade 54, the second arm 56, and the first arm 58. The moment caused by this is canceled out by the moment centered on the inner bearing 74 based on the gravity acting on the bending/extending motor 84. Therefore, due to the axial center of the inner bearing 74 being offset from the axial center of the outer shaft bone 86,
It is possible to prevent the inner bearing 74 and the outer shaft bone 86 from being locally significantly worn.

A link arm 90 is fixed to the case 82. On the other hand, the link arm 92 is attached to the pin 9 on the upper plate 88.
It is pivoted by 4. Link arm 90 and link arm 92 are connected by pins 98 and 100 via link par 96. These link arms 90, 92 and link par 96 constitute a U link. link arm 92
One end of a rod 102 is pivotally supported by a pin 104 at the intermediate portion of the rod 102 . On the other hand, the wiper motor 106 is
It is fixed to 08. This case 108 houses a worm (not shown) attached to the rotating shaft of the wiper motor 106 and a worm wheel (not shown) pivotally supported by the arm drive shaft 110. The case 108 is fixed to the lower plate 89 of the wiper box 38.

An arm 112 is fixed to the arm drive shaft 110.

The tip of this arm 112 is rotatably connected to the rod 102.

Therefore, when the wiper motor 106 is rotated, the arm 11
2 rotates, and the link arm 92 rotates around the pin 94 via the rod 102. This makes the link par 9
6, the link arm 90 rotates, and the arm bending/extending motor 84, inner bearing 74, and first arm 58 shown in FIG. 8 rotate integrally.

This operating state is shown in FIGS. 6(A) to 6(C). FIG. 6(A) shows the state of the wiper arm in the retracted position, which is the state shown in FIG. 1. From this state, the arm 112 rotates counterclockwise, and when the arm 112 faces in the X direction as shown in FIG. 6(B), the wiper arm is in the reversed position X, and the state is as shown in FIG. 2(A). In this state, the arm bending/extending motor 84 is rotated, and the second arm 56
When stretched, the state shown in FIG. 2(B) is obtained. Arm 11
When the wiper blade 2 is further rotated counterclockwise and the arm 112 is directed in the Z direction as shown in FIG. 5(C), the wiper blade 54 moves from the position AA' to the position BB' in FIG. 2(B). When the arm 112 is further rotated counterclockwise and the arm 112 faces in the Y direction as shown by the dashed line in FIG.
The wiper arm returns from the position ' to the position AA''. The position where the arm 112 faces in the Y direction is the wiper arm inversion position NY.

Therefore, when the arm 112 rotates from the X direction to the Y direction in FIG. 6(B), the wiper blade 54 makes one reciprocation. The arm 112 rotates counterclockwise from the X direction to the Y direction and clockwise from the Y direction to the X direction.

A wiper control circuit diagram is shown in FIG. 9, and this control is performed by a microcomputer 150. The input port 152 of the microcomputer 150 includes a raindrop sensor 154, a wiper mode changeover switch 156, a washer switch 158, and a loop open limit switch 160.
, louver close limit switch 162, pop-up limit switch] 64, pop-down limit switch 166, arm elevation limit switch 168, arm retraction limit switch 170, wiper arm storage position limit switch 172, wiper arm reversal position X limit switch 174, A detection signal from a wiper arm inversion position X limit switch 176 is input.

The raindrop sensor 154 is composed of, for example, an infrared photointerlacer or a voltage element, and is configured to detect the presence or absence of rain. Wiper mode selector switch 1
56 is off (OFF), auto mode (AUTO),
Contact signals of low mode (Lo) and high mode (H4) are supplied to the input port 152. The louver open limit switch 160 and pop-up limit switch 164 are closed slightly before the state shown in FIG. 3(B) is reached, and the louver close limit switch 162 and pop-down limit switch 166 are in the state shown in FIG. 3(A). The circuit is designed to close a little before the Further, the arm extension limit switch 168 is closed slightly before the state shown in FIG. 2(B) is reached, and the arm retraction limit switch 170 is closed slightly before the state shown in FIG. 2(A) is reached. ing. Furthermore, the wiper arm storage position limit switch 172 is closed in the state shown in FIG. 6(A), and the wiper arm reversal position X limit switch 174 is closed in the state shown in FIG. 6(B).
), and the wiper arm inversion position X limit switch 176 is closed in the state shown by the dashed line in FIG.

A drive signal is supplied from the output port 178 of the microcomputer 150 to the drive circuit 180, which operates the louver motor 34, the arm bending/extending motor 84, and the wiper motor 106.
, to rotationally drive the washer motor 182. When the rotation of the louver motor 34 and the arm bending/extending motor 84 is mechanically restrained, lock currents are detected by lock current detection circuits 184 and 188, respectively, and sent to the CPU.
It is input to input port 152 as an interrupt signal to l90.

The microcomputer 150 includes a CPU 190 that executes a control program, a ROM 192 that stores this control program, and a RAM that is used as a work area.
I 94 and the input port 152 and output port 17
8 and a bus 196 that connects them.

Next, the operation of this embodiment configured as described above will be explained with reference to the control flowcharts shown in FIGS. 10 to 13.

In Fig. 10, wiper mode changeover switch 156 is set to AUT.
A control flowchart when switching to O mode, Lo mode, or Hi mode is shown. First, a case will be described in which the wiper mode selector switch 156 is switched to the Lo mode when the wiper assembly 10 is in the state shown in FIG. 3(A). In the flowchart, ■ and S mean limit switches.

Since the louver opening limit switch 160 is off in step 200, the process advances to step 202, and the louver motor 3
4 in the louver opening direction.

Next, the process proceeds to step 204, and after waiting for the open limit switch 160 to be turned on, the pop-up motor 44 is rotated in the upward direction in step 206. Next, in step 208, the process waits until the pop-up limit switch 164 is turned on. At this time, the louver 28 is as shown in Fig. 3 (B).
The state shown in is reached, the lock current is detected by the lock current detection circuit 184, and an interrupt is issued to the CPU 190.
The control flowchart shown in FIG. 10 is started.

That is, the cause of the interruption is determined in step 300, the process proceeds to step 302, the louver motor 34 is turned off, and the process returns to step 208.

As described above, since the louver opening limit switch 160 and the lock current detection circuit 184 are used, the wiper assembly 10 can be popped up when the louver 28 is almost completely opened, and the louver opening operation and pop-up operation can be processed in parallel. Therefore, the operating time of the wiper assembly 10 can be shortened. Further, since the rotation of the louver motor 34 is stopped by the lock current, there is no need to adjust the stop position of the louver 28, and the rotation of the louver motor 34 is surely stopped when the louver 28 is in the open state. This prevents the louver 28 from wobbling.

Next, in step 208, the process waits until the pop-up limit switch 164 is turned on, and then in step 209, the pop-up motor 44 is turned off. In this case, the molding 114 and the end of the windshield 12 come into close contact. Further, since the wiper assembly 10 rotates around the fulcrum 42, there is a sufficient distance from the fulcrum 42 to the lower end of the windshield 12, and the molding 114
Do not apply excessive force to the person. Next step 2
10, the wiper motor 106 is rotated in the forward direction, and the wiper arm reverse position X limit switch 17 is set in step 212.
Wait for 4 to turn on. When the wiper arm inversion position As a result, the rise-up is completed and the state shown in FIG. 2(A) is reached. Then step 216 to step 2
18, the arm bending/extending motor 84 is rotated in the direction in which the second arm 56 extends. Next, in step 220, the process waits until the arm extension limit switch 168 is turned on, and then proceeds to steps 232 and 234, where the wiper motor 106 is rotated forward at low speed. Next, the process advances to step 235 and waits for the wiper arm inversion position Y IJ switch 176 to be turned on. At this time, a lock current flows through the arm bending/extending motor 84 and is detected by the lock current detection circuit 188, and a tenth interrupt process is started. That is, the process advances to steps 300 and 306, turns off the arm bending/extending motor 84 that was turned on in step 218, and returns to step 236. At this time, the wiper blade 54 moves as shown in FIG. 2(B).
The wiper arm reverse position YIJ switch 176 is turned on, and the process advances from step 236 to step 238 and 240, where the wiper motor 106 and immediately turn off the wiper motor 106.
Reverse at low speed. Next, in step 242, the process waits for the wiper arm inversion value iX limit switch 174 to be turned on. When the wiper blade 54 makes one more reciprocation over the windshield 12 surface, the wiper arm inversion position X limit switch 174 is turned on, and the process advances to steps 244 and 232 to repeat the above process.

Next, a case will be described in which the wiper mode selector switch 156 is switched to Hi mode. In this case, step 232 proceeds to step 246, and step 2
Proceeding from step 38 to step 248, the wiper motor 106
The process is the same as in the above Lo mode except that .

Next, a case will be described in which the wiper mode selector switch 156 is switched to the AUTo mode.

In this case, after performing the processing from step 200 to step 216 in the same manner as above, proceeding to step 250 and proceeding to step 3.
Turn on the 0 second timer. Then steps 252.254
This process is repeated and a signal indicating rain is received from the raindrop sensor 154 is waited for.

If a rain signal is received within 30 seconds, step 25
2, proceed to step 256. Since the wiper assembly 10 is in the state shown in FIG. 2(A), the process proceeds to step 218, and processes from step 218 to step 236 are performed in the same manner as in the LO mode, and the second arm 56 is extended to remove the wiper blade. 54 is made to reciprocate once on the windshield 12 surface.
The processes from step 8 to step 258 are performed, and the wiper blade 54 is made to reciprocate once over the windshield 12 surface. When the rain stops, the rain sensor 154 no longer supplies a rain signal, and steps 237 or 258 to step 26
Proceed to 0, wiper arm reversal position X limit switch 1
74 or wiper arm reversal position X limit switch 17
The wiper motor 106 is rotated until 6 is turned on. Next, in step 250, a 30 second timer is turned on, and steps 252 and 254 are performed to wait for a signal indicating rain to be supplied. If it rains again within 30 seconds, step 25
2 to steps 256 and 232, and repeats the same process.

Therefore, if it rains again within 30 seconds, the second arm 56 will not contract, so it is possible to avoid unnecessary operations such as extending the second arm 56 again.

If the rain sensor 154 does not supply a rain signal even after 30 seconds have elapsed since the timer turned on in step 250,
The process proceeds from step 254 to steps 262 and 264, in which the arm bending/extending motor 84 is rotated in the direction in which the second arm 56 is bent.

Next, in step 266, Mitsutsuji 17 retracts the arm.
0 is turned on, the process returns to step 250 and the timer is turned on again. Next, while repeating steps 252 and 254, a lock current flows through the arm bending/extending motor 84, which is detected by the lock current detection circuit 188 and interrupts the CPU 190, starting the interrupt process shown in FIG. Ru. That is, the process advances from step 300 to step 306, where the arm bending/extending motor 84 is turned off and the process returns. If no rain signal is received within 30 seconds, the process proceeds from step 254 to step 262.250, and the above process is repeated while maintaining the state shown in FIG. 2(A). Also, if a signal indicating rain is received in step 252, step 256.2
Steps 232 to 258 after processing 18.220
The process will be repeated in the same manner as above.

Thus, in the AUTO mode, if it is not raining, the wiper blade 54 is on standby in the state shown in FIG. 2(A), and if it is raining, the second arm 56 is extended and the wiper blade 54 is reciprocated. Also, if the rain stops, the second arm 56 can be bent and the second
It stands by in the state shown in Figure (A) and is ready to respond immediately if it rains. Therefore, in the case of weather where it rains on and off, it is extremely convenient to set it to AUTO mode.

When the ignition switch is turned off in the state shown in FIG. 2(A), and the ignition switch is turned on again to set the wiper mode selector switch 156 to AUTOLLO or Hi mode, steps 200.268.270.
The process advances from step 272 to step 216, where processing corresponding to each of the above modes is performed. That is, even if the power is once turned off, the next operation to be performed can be performed accurately.

Similarly, if the louver open limit switch 160 is on but the pop-up limit switch 164 is not on, steps 200.268 to 2
We will proceed to 06. In addition, the wiper arm reverse position X limit switch 1 is turned on, but the wiper arm inversion position
74 is not on, step 200.2
The process will proceed to step 210 from 68.270. Furthermore, a louver opening limit switch 160, a pop-up limit switch 164, and an arm extension limit switch 16 are provided.
8. If both wiper arm inversion position X limit switches 174 are on, step 200.268
．． 270.272.274, and in the case of AUTO mode, proceeds to step 250, and in the case of LO mode or Hi mode, proceeds from step 274 to 232. In this way, without providing a backup battery for the RAM 194, the state before the power is turned off can be known after the power is turned on, and the next operation to be performed can be performed accurately.

In Fig. 12, wiper mode changeover switch 156 is set to AUT.
A control flowchart when switching from OlLO or Hi mode to OFF is shown. Wiper motor 10
Wiper mode changeover switch 156 while 6 rotates forward or reverse.
If the switch is turned OFF, the process proceeds from step 400 to step 408, and waits for the wiper arm inversion position X limit switch 176 or the wiper arm inversion position X limit switch 174 to be turned on. Next, the process proceeds to step 410, where the wiper motor 106 is turned off. This results in the state shown in FIG. 2(B). Next, the process proceeds to step 412, where the arm bending/extending motor 84 is rotated in a direction to bend the second arm 56. Next, in step 414, the process waits until the arm retraction limit switch 170 is turned on, and then proceeds to step 415. Wiper arm inversion position Y IJ
If the mito switch 176 is on, the wiper motor 106 is rotated in the normal direction in step 416, and if not, that is, if the wiper arm reverse position t x I3 mito switch 174 is on, the wiper motor 106 is rotated in the reverse direction in step 418. let

Next, the process advances to step 420 and waits for the wiper arm storage position limit switch 172 to be turned on.

At this time, a lock current flows through the arm bending/extending motor 84, which is detected by the lock current detection circuit 188 and sent to the CPU.
An interrupt is generated at 190, and the processing shown in FIG. 11 is started. That is, the process advances to steps 300 and 306, where the arm bending/extending motor 84 is offered, and then returns to step 420. When the wiper arm storage position limit switch 172 is turned on, the process advances to step 422 and the wiper motor 106 is turned off. This results in the state shown in FIG.

Next, in step 424, the pop-up motor 44 is rotated in the down direction, and in step 426, the pop-down limit switch 166 is turned on, and then the process proceeds to step 42.
7, the pop-up motor 44 is turned off, and then the opening 29 is turned off.
The louver motor 34 is rotated in the direction of closing, and the process shown in FIG. 12 is completed. Thereafter, a lock current flows through the louver motor 34, which is detected by the lock current detection circuit 184, and the interrupt processing shown in FIG. 11 is started.

That is, the process advances to steps 300 and 302, turns off the louver motor 34, and returns to the main routine. In this way, the state shown in FIG. 3 (A>) is reached.

Therefore, the windshield 12, the louver 28, the hood 14
is flattened, reducing air resistance.

Further, since a portion of the wiper assembly 10 does not protrude from the outer surface of the vehicle, the wiper assembly 10 is not subjected to excessive external force from the vehicle cover, car wash equipment, or the like.

Next, in the case of the AUTO mode, when the wiper mode selector switch 156 is on standby in the state shown in FIG.
is turned OFF, steps 400 and 43
The process will proceed to 6.438.415 and perform the above processing. Similarly, if the wiper mode selector switch 156 is turned OFF in the state shown in FIG. 2(B), the process proceeds to steps 400, 436, and 412. Also, in the state shown in FIG. 1, wiper mode selector switch 156 is turned to
If switched to FF, step 400.436.4
It will proceed to 38.440.424. Furthermore, when the louver 28 is in the state shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG.
．． It will proceed to 428. If the louver 28 is in the position shown by the solid line in the state shown in FIG. 3(A), the process proceeds to steps 400, 436, 438, 440, and 442, and the process ends without operating anything.

In this way, the wiper mode selector switch 156 is turned OFF.
Even when switching to AUTOXL o or Hi mode, it is possible to accurately grasp the state before the power is turned off and perform subsequent processing without backing up the RAM 194 with a battery, as in the case of switching the wiper key changeover switch 156 to AUTOXL o or Hi mode. becomes.

Next, FIG. 13 shows a washer control flowchart. This flowchart is general.

First, turn on the wiper mode selector switch 156.

Or, a case will be described in which the washer switch 158 is switched to the on side when the mode is switched to Hi mode. In step 500, if the processes from step 200 to step 220 have not been performed, step 2
After performing the processes up to step 20, the process advances to steps 502 and 504, where the washer motor 182 is turned on and washing water is sprayed onto the surface of the windshield 12. Next, in step 506, the process waits for the first rasher switch 158 to be turned off, and then in step 508, the washer motor 182 is turned off, and the process ends.

Next, when the wiper mode changeover switch 156 is switched to the AUTo mode, the washer switch 1
A case will be explained in which the switch 58 is switched to the on side. Step 5
At step 00, if the processing from step 200 to step 220 has not been completed, this is performed. However, it is assumed that the process proceeds from step 214 to 218. Next, the process advances to steps 502, 510, 512 and the washer motor 18
2 is turned on for 2 seconds, and at the same time, the processes of steps 232 to 242 are repeated twice. That is, the wiper blade 54 is moved back and forth four times. The time for these four round trips is about 5 seconds. Next, proceeding from step 514 to step 250, the AUTO
Move on to mode processing.

Next, a case will be described in which the washer switch 158 is turned on while the wiper mode changeover switch 156 is turned off. In this case, the above A
As in UTO mode, steps 500, 502
．． After processing steps 510 and 512, step 514.
Wiper mode changeover switch 156 to move to 516.412
7! Processing is performed when it is switched to l<OFF. That is, the second arm 56 is folded and brought to the state shown in FIG. 3(A).

Next, when in AUTO mode, the washer switch 158
If the wiper mode changeover switch 156 is turned off after turning on the wiper mode changeover switch 156 before the process of step 512 is completed, the process proceeds to step 514.51'6.412.

In addition, after turning on the washer switch 158 when the wiper mode changeover switch 156 is off, step 51
Before completing the process in step 2, wiper mode selector switch 15
6 is switched to AUTO, steps 514 to 25 are performed in the same way as if the wiper mode selector switch 156 had been switched to AUTO mode from the beginning.
It will move to 0.

Incidentally, the rise-up and bending and stretching operations of the wiper arm may be performed at the same time.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described according to FIG.

In this embodiment, the louver 120 is connected to the louver support arm 12.
The wiper box 3B is fixed to the seven-piece plate 88 of the wiper box 3B through the wires 2 and 3. The louver support arm 122 is formed by bending both ends of a bar to reduce air resistance. Note that the louver support arm 122 is
It may be provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction (direction orthogonal to the plane of the paper in FIG. 13).

FIG. 14(A) shows the retracted state of the wiper assembly 10, and similarly to FIG. 3(A>), the windshield 1
2. The louver 120 and the hood 14 are made into a road surface. FIG. 14(B) shows the wiper assembly 10 in a hopped-up state.

In this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the rail 30.3
2. There is no need to provide opening/closing mechanisms such as the louver motor 34 and the pipe 36. Therefore, there is no need to control the opening and closing of the louver 120. Moreover, the pop-up and hop-down of the wiper assembly 10 and the opening and closing operations of the louver 120 can be performed simultaneously, and the time required to change from the wiper storage state to the wiper operating state and the time required for the reverse operation can be shortened.

140-A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 14 corresponds to FIG. 8(B), and a bevel gear 120 is fixed to the upper end of the arm bending/extending drive shaft 72 by a nut 122. Therefore, the bevel gear 120 rotates coaxially and integrally with the worm wheel 78.

On the other hand, the shaft 12 along the longitudinal direction of the first arm 58
Both ends of 4 are supported by bearings 126 and 128. Bearings 126 and 128 are coaxially arranged and fixed to first arm 58 .

A bevel gear 130 is fixed to one end of the shaft 124 and meshes with the bevel gear 120 so that the rotational force of the arm bending/extending drive shaft 72 is transmitted to the shaft 124.

A bevel gear 132 is also fixed to the other end of the shaft 124 and meshes with a bevel gear 136 fixed to the arm bending/extending shaft 60 so that the rotational force of the shaft 124 is transmitted to the arm bending/extending shaft 60. .

One end of the arm bending/extending shaft 60 is pivotally supported by an angular contact ball bearing 134 fixed to the first arm 5. The other end of the arm bending/extending shaft 60 is fixed to the second arm 56 with a nut 61.

Therefore, the worm 80 is
When rotated, the rotational force is transmitted to the worm wheel 78, the arm bending/extending drive shaft 72, the bevel gear 120, the bevel gear 130, the shaft 124, the bevel gears 132 and 136, and the arm bending/extending shaft 6.
0 is sequentially transmitted to the second arm 56, and the second arm 56 is bent or extended relative to the first arm 58 depending on the direction of rotation. Therefore, the entire lengths of the first arm 58 and the second arm 56 are expanded and contracted.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described according to FIG.

FIG. 15 also corresponds to FIG. 8(B), and a pulley 138 is fixed to the upper end of the arm bending/extending drive shaft 72 with a nut 140. Therefore, the pulley 138 rotates coaxially and integrally with the worm wheel 78.

On the other hand, one end of the arm bending/extending shaft 60 is connected to the second end by a nut 61.
is fixed to the arm 56, and the other end is connected to the first. It is pivotally supported by an arm 58. A belt gear 142 is fixed to the intermediate portion of the arm bending/extending shaft 60.

A synchronous rubber belt 144 is wound around the pulleys 138 and 142. As shown in FIG. 16, the synchronous rubber belt 144 has teeth 146 molded on its inner surface and meshes with teeth formed on the pulleys 138 and 142 to prevent slippage. Glass fibers 148 are embedded in the synchronous rubber belt 144 along its longitudinal direction.
The synchronous rubber belt 144 is reinforced.

Note that instead of using the synchronous rubber belt 144, a wire or chain may be used.

〔Effect of the invention〕

In the retractable wiper according to the present invention, the wiper assembly is stored in a storage chamber provided in the vehicle body near the windshield, and the wiper assembly is raised and lowered by the lifting means, so that the air resistance of the vehicle can be reduced. At the same time, the style of the vehicle can be improved. Additionally, since the wiper assembly is stored in the storage chamber when the wiper is not in use, there is no possibility that a portion of the wiper assembly may protrude from the outer surface of the vehicle and interfere with the vehicle cover or car wash equipment, causing the wiper assembly to be subjected to excessive external force. do not have.

In addition, the wiper assembly is stored by shortening the overall length of the first arm, which is attached to the wiper arm rotation shaft and rotates within a certain angle, and the second arm, which has one end attached to the wiper blade and the other end supported by the first arm. Since the device is stored in a chamber, the space in the storage chamber can be narrowed and the device can be made smaller.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the wiper assembly stored in the cowl inner of the vehicle, Fig. 2(A) is a perspective view showing the wiper in a raised state, and Fig. 2(B)
) is a perspective view showing the bent first arm shown in FIG. 2(A) in an extended state, FIG. 3(A) is a longitudinal sectional view showing the wiper assembly stored in the cowl inner, In B), the louver is opened from the state shown in Figure 3 (A),
4(A) to 4(C) are front views showing the structure of the louver, FIG. 6(A) to (C) are plan views for explaining the operation of the drive device in FIG. 5, FIGS. 7(A) and (B) are plan views of the wiper arm, and FIG. 8(A) is a plan view of the wiper arm. 8(B) is a vertical sectional view of FIG. 8(A), FIG. 9 is a wiper control circuit diagram, FIGS. 10 to 13 are wiper and washer control flowcharts, and FIG. 14 is a main A vertical sectional view corresponding to FIG. 8(B) showing the second embodiment of the invention,
FIG. 15 is a longitudinal sectional view corresponding to FIG. 8(B) showing a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 16 is a partial plan view of the synchronous rubber belt 144 shown in FIG. 15. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Wiper assembly, 12... Windshield, 14... Hood, 16... Storage chamber, 18... Cowl inner, 20. 120... Louver, 40... Hinge, 42... ...Fully point, 44...Pop-up motor 54...Wiper blade, 56...Second arm, 58...First arm, 72...Arm bending and extension drive shaft, 78...Worm wheel, 80...Worm, 84...Arm bending/extending motor.

Claims (1)

[Claims] When the wiper is not in use, the wiper assembly is stored in a storage chamber provided in the vehicle body near the windshield, and when the wiper is in use, the wiper assembly is raised and wiped. a first arm that rotates at the wiper blade; a second arm that has one end attached to the wiper blade and the other end supported by the first arm; and arm extension/contraction means that extends/contracts the entire length of the first arm and the second arm. A retractable wiper comprising: