Wiper blade strip

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cross-sectional shape profile of a wiper blade strip and comprises: an upper body that receives a force, which causes a wiping motion, from a frame; a base part exposed from the upper body to the lower part of the frame; a pair of sidewall parts extending downward from the base part and spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction; a contact part that is formed by connecting end portions of the pair of sidewall parts and is in contact with a windshield surface; and a cavity part surrounded by the base part, the pair of sidewall parts, and the contact part, wherein the pair of sidewall parts each include an upper sidewall portion extending from the base part and inclined toward a central axis direction, a middle sidewall portion extending to the lower part of the upper sidewall portion, and a lower sidewall portion extending to the lower part of the middle sidewall portion.

Description

wiper blade strip

[0001] The present invention relates to a wiper for a vehicle windshield, and more specifically, to a cross-sectional shape profile of a rubber wiper blade strip constituting the wiper.

[0002] Vehicle wipers are used to ensure the driver's visibility during rain and to wipe away foreign matter attached to the windshield to keep it clean.

[0003] As shown in FIG. 1, the wiper device includes a wiper arm (1) that rotates around a lower portion as a pivot axis and a wiper blade (2) coupled to the wiper arm (1) to wipe the surface of the windshield. The wiper blade (2) is composed of a wiper blade strip (2a) and a frame (2b) that supports it.

[0004] The wiper blade strip (2a) is made of rubber and performs the function of wiping away foreign matter while moving in contact with the surface of the windshield. The wiper blade strip (2a) is the element that has the greatest influence on the wiping action, and various shapes and materials have been proposed.

[0005] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a cross-sectional profile shape of a wiper blade strip according to the prior art. FIG. 2(a) illustrates a state in which no wiping action occurs, and FIG. 2(b) and FIG. 2(c) illustrate a state in which a wiping action occurs in both directions. Referring to FIG. 2(a), the wiper blade strip (20) includes an upper body (21) supported by a frame (10), a tilting body (22) that contacts a windshield glass surface (S) (hereinafter referred to as the “glass surface”) to cause a wiping action, and a joint part (23) connecting the upper body (21) and the tilting body (22). The tilting body (22) has a roughly inverted triangular shape and includes a lip part (22a) at the bottom and shoulder parts (22b) on the upper left and right sides. As shown in FIG. 2 (b) and (c), the tilting body (22) is tilted in the opposite direction of the wiper blade's direction of travel (arrow “M” direction), and the lower lip (22a) sweeps the glass surface (S) to produce a wiping action. The joint part (23) forms a slender neck, and the tilting direction of the tilting body (22) changes left and right around the joint part (23) as an axis.

[0006] During the wiping operation, a downward force is applied to the wiper blade strip (20), and it reciprocates left and right while pressing against the glass surface (S). As shown in FIG. 2 (b), when the wiper blade moves to the left, the right shoulder (22b) of the tilting body (22) is supported by the support member (21a) forming the lower right side of the upper body (21). Likewise, when moving in the opposite direction, the left shoulder (22b) is supported by the left support member (21a), as shown in FIG. 2 (c). The wiping operation is performed by the lip member (22a) forming a predetermined contact angle (A) with respect to the windshield surface (S). The contact angle (A) is defined as the angle formed between the side of the lip member (22a) and the glass surface (S). When the contact angle (A) approaches 0° (degrees), the side portion of the lip portion (22a) contacts the glass surface (S) rather than the corner portion, so the contact pressure is reduced and the force sweeping the glass surface (S) may be reduced due to sliding on the glass surface (S). When the contact angle (A) approaches 90° (degrees), the force is not evenly distributed over the entire wiper blade and may cause wiper shaking phenomena such as stick slip and chattering. Therefore, it is desirable to maintain the contact angle (A) at a constant level. In the prior art, the tilting body (22) had a structure in which the contact angle (A) was maintained by being supported by the support portion (21a) of the upper body (21) through the shoulder portion (22b).

[0007] Meanwhile, the applicant of the present invention has proposed a “single-hole angle-maintaining wiper blade” that is more advantageous for maintaining the contact angle (A) through Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1693832. FIG. 3 is an excerpt of the shape of the wiper blade strip disclosed in Patent No. 10-1693832. As disclosed therein, the cross-sectional shape of the wiper blade strip proposed by the applicant of the present invention is configured to maintain the contact angle between the lower corner of the tilting body and the windshield surface by forming an up-and-down cavity inside a rectangular tilting body. Similar to the prior art described above, the tilting body (30) has a structure that tilts left and right according to the wiping direction, and at this time, the shoulder (31) of the tilting body (30) has a structure that is supported by a support member (32).

[0008] These conventional technologies have the advantage of maintaining the contact angle as the tilting body is supported by a support member, but on the other hand, there was a problem in that impact noise was generated when the shoulder of the tilting body struck the support member. This impact noise occurs whenever the wiper's operation is reversed, and there is a problem in that it occurs continuously during wiper operation. In particular, there is a problem in that this impact noise can be perceived as significantly loud noise by a driver in a stationary vehicle or a driver in an electric vehicle without engine noise.

[0009] As a technology for reducing reverse noise of a wiper, a technology has been proposed in the past, as disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. US20240127787A1, to receive feedforward data related to wiper noise, generate a noise cancellation control signal based on this data, and reduce noise perceived inside the vehicle by emitting the noise cancellation signal through an actuator. However, this technology did not eliminate the cause of the noise and had the problem of containing the possibility of errors occurring in the noise cancellation control signal.

[0010] As another conventional technology for reducing wiper inversion noise, Korean Registered Patent No. 10-0783870 proposed a technology that reduces the wiper operating speed by providing an inversion detection unit at a position corresponding to the blade inversion section on the upper surface of a cam plate installed on the connecting shaft of a wiper motor, installing a spring contact piece on the rotation path of the inversion detection unit on the upper part of the cam plate, and connecting this spring contact piece to a wiper control unit to lower the voltage of the wiper motor at the inversion position of the wiper blade. However, this technology is a technology that reduces the speed of the wiper at the inversion position and does not eliminate the inversion impact sound generated by the wiper blade, and also has the problem of resulting in an increase in the cycle time required for one reciprocation of the wiper.

[0011] The present invention aims to solve the problems according to the aforementioned prior art and to provide a wiper blade strip capable of reducing the impact sound generated when the wiper is reversed.

[0012] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a wiper blade strip that eliminates the need to add a separate control element or change the wiper operating speed by eliminating reverse noise through the cross-sectional shape configuration of the wiper blade.

[0013] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a wiper blade strip that maintains a contact angle with the windshield surface and has an excellent foreign matter removal effect.

[0014] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a wiper blade strip that allows for smooth reversal action during wiper operation.

[0015] A wiper blade strip according to the present invention for achieving the aforementioned purpose comprises: an upper body receiving a force that causes a wiping motion from a frame; a base portion exposed from the upper body to the lower part of the frame; a pair of side wall portions extending to the lower part of the base portion and spaced apart laterally; a contact portion formed by connecting the ends of the pair of side wall portions to each other and contacting the surface of a windshield; and a hollow portion formed by being surrounded by the base portion, the pair of side wall portions, and the contact portion, wherein the pair of side wall portions may include an upper side wall portion extending from the base portion and formed at an angle toward the central axis direction, an intermediate side wall portion extending to the lower part of the upper side wall portion, and a lower side wall portion extending to the lower part of the intermediate side wall portion.

[0016] In addition, the lower sidewall may have a thinner thickness than the middle sidewall.

[0017] Additionally, the hollow portion includes an upper region, a middle region, and a lower region formed on the inner side corresponding to the upper side wall portion, the middle side wall portion, and the lower side wall portion, wherein the upper region narrows in width as it goes downward, the middle region has a constant width, and the lower region can be expanded.

[0018] In addition, the pair of side walls includes a wing portion that protrudes outwardly to the middle side wall portion, and a side wall groove may be formed between the upper part of the wing portion and the upper side wall portion.

[0019] In addition, the bottom surface of the base portion may have a shape that protrudes convexly downward toward the inside of the hollow portion.

[0020] In addition, during the wiping operation, the angle formed inwardly by the shoulder joint portion at the location where the base portion and the upper side wall portion meet on the side wall portion in the direction receiving tensile force becomes smaller, and

[0021] The angle formed by the elbow joint at the location where the upper side wall and the middle side wall meet in the outward direction can be modified to increase.

[0022] In addition, during the wiping operation, the angle formed inwardly by the shoulder joint portion at the location where the base portion and the upper side wall portion meet on the side wall portion in the direction receiving the compressive force increases, and

[0023] The angle formed by the elbow joint at the location where the upper side wall and the middle side wall meet in the outward direction can be deformed to become smaller.

[0024] In addition, when subjected to force by a wiping motion, the contact angle formed by the contact portion with respect to the windshield glass surface can be maintained at an angle greater than the angle at which the side wall portion is tilted.

[0025] In addition, the side wall portion in the direction receiving compressive force during the wiping operation may be deformed so that the wing portion is supported by the upper side wall portion.

[0026] In addition, the side wall portion in the direction receiving tensile force during the wiping operation may be deformed so that the inner surface of the upper side wall portion is supported by the bottom surface of the base portion.

[0027] In addition, during the wiping operation, the two sidewalls of the pair may be deformed so that the inner surfaces of the intermediate sidewalls come into contact with each other and are supported.

[0028] The wiper blade strip according to the present invention does not include structures such as a tilting body, shoulder, and support member that conventional wiper blade strips have. Therefore, the impact sound that occurs when the shoulder collides with the support member during the reversal of the wiping motion is not generated.

[0029] In addition, the wiper blade strip according to the present invention includes a joint portion in which the angle is deformed when a force is applied in the longitudinal direction of the side wall portion, thereby causing a cushioning effect to facilitate the shape deformation of the side wall portion.

[0030] In addition, the hollow portion formed between these side walls and the two side walls acts to cushion the force applied during the wiping operation, thereby allowing the cross-sectional shape to change smoothly.

[0031] In addition, the wiper blade strip according to the present invention includes a structure in which the side wall portion receiving compressive force during the wiping operation is supported in the longitudinal direction, thereby maintaining the contact angle between the contact portion and the glass surface and maintaining the cleaning power of the contact portion wiping the glass surface.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a wiper device.

[0033] FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating an example of a cross-sectional profile shape of a wiper blade strip according to the prior art.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing the cross-sectional shape of a wiper blade strip disclosed in Patent Registration No. 10-1693832 of the applicant of the present application.

[0035] FIGS. 4 and 5 are drawings illustrating a cross-sectional profile of a wiper blade strip according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figures 6 and 7 are photographs showing the cross-sectional shape of a wiper blade strip product used in a wiper inversion noise test.

[0037] FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating a comparison of the change in the cross-sectional shape of a wiper blade strip during the wiping motion reversal process.

[0038] FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating a cross-sectional profile of a wiper blade strip according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below may be modified in various ways by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. The embodiments described below are not intended to limit the present invention to such embodiments. The present invention should be understood to include various modifications, substitutions, and equivalents within the scope of the technical concept understood from the entire specification as well as the embodiments described below.

[0040] Expressions such as “include,” “consist of,” and “have” used below should be understood as not excluding additional components or functions.

[0041] Expressions such as “the first…”, “the second…”, “first”, “second”, etc., that may be used below shall not be interpreted as limiting the order or importance of the components unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0042] Expressions such as “combined” and “connected” used below should be understood to mean that, unless explicitly stated otherwise, they are directly combined or connected, and that other components may exist or be interposed in between.

[0043] In the following use of terms, singular expressions should be understood as not excluding plural expressions unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0044] The present invention relates to a wiper strip used in a vehicle wiper blade. The wiper strip according to the present invention may be manufactured from an elastic material, such as natural rubber, synthetic rubber, silicone, EPDM (Ethylene-Propylene Diene Monomer), an elastomer, or a combination thereof. The wiper blade strip may be manufactured as a single unit by extruding the material.

[0045] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate cross-sectional profiles of a vehicle wiper blade strip according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 illustrates a state in which no external force is applied to the wiper blade strip, and FIG. 5 illustrates a state in which the wiper blade strip is deformed while receiving force in the up-down and left-right directions during a wiping operation. For convenience of explanation, the +X-axis direction is set to the right, the -X-axis direction to the left, the +Y-axis direction to the up, and the -Y-axis direction to the down, based on the coordinate system shown in FIG. 4.

[0046] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the wiper blade strip (100) has a left-right symmetrical shape. The drawing depicts the cross-sectional shape of the wiper blade strip (100), and the wiper blade strip (100) has a long, continuous shape along the ground direction. In the following description, when it is necessary to distinguish the left and right sides of the left-right symmetrical components, the component on the left is indicated by adding “L” to the reference numeral and the component on the right is indicated by adding “R” to the reference numeral.

[0047]

[0048] The wiper blade strip (100) includes an upper body (101), a base portion (110), a side wall portion (120), a contact portion (130), and a hollow portion (140).

[0049] The upper body (101) is connected to the frame (10) of the wiper blade and receives the force that causes the wiping motion.

[0050] The base portion (110) extends from the lower part of the upper body (101) and is exposed to the lower part of the frame (10). The base portion preferably has a predetermined width (Wa), which may be, for example, 2 to 9 mm (millimeters).

[0051] The side wall portions (120) are formed by extending downward from both the left and right sides of the base portion (110). The side wall portions (120) are composed of a pair of left and right sides and have a symmetrical shape with respect to the center line (O).

[0052] The contact portion (130) is formed at the bottom of the side wall portion (120). The contact portion (130) contacts the glass surface to cause a wiping action. During the wiping action, the contact edge portion (131), which is the left and right corner of the contact portion (130), contacts the glass surface to cause a wiping action. The contact portion (130) connects the bottoms of the left and right side wall portions (120) to each other. As an element that applies force to remove moisture or contaminants from the glass surface, the contact portion (130) preferably has an appropriate thickness (Ta) so that its shape can be maintained during the wiping process, and for example, it may be 1 mm (millimeter) or more.

[0053] The interior surrounded by the base portion (110), both side wall portions (120), and the contact portion (130) forms a hollow portion (140). The hollow portion (140) forms a fluid space that allows the side wall portions (120) and the contact portion (130) to deform during a wiping operation. Additionally, the hollow portion (140) functions to allow the contact portion (130) to form a predetermined contact angle with respect to the windshield glass surface. As necessary for the following explanation, the direction facing the interior relative to the hollow portion (140) is described as the inner direction, and the direction facing the exterior is described as the outer direction.

[0054] The side wall portion (120) has a shape formed with a curve along the vertical direction. The side wall portion (120) can be sequentially divided into an upper side wall portion (121), a middle side wall portion (122), and a lower side wall portion (123) along the vertical direction. The upper side wall portion (121) extends downward from the base portion (110) and is formed to be inclined toward the central axis (O) so that the width of both the left and right sides gradually narrows. The middle side wall portion (122) is formed by extending downward from the bottom of the upper side wall portion (121). A wing portion (124) protruding laterally is formed on the outside of the middle side wall portion (122). A side wall groove (125) is formed between the wing portion (124) and the upper side wall portion (121). The side wall groove (125) is formed by being laterally indented between the lower space outside the upper side wall portion (121) and the upper space of the wing portion (124). When a compressive or tensile force is applied to the side wall portion (120) during the wiping process, the side wall groove (125) may become narrower or wider. In this embodiment, a wing portion (124) protruding outward from the middle side wall portion (122) is formed, but the wing portion (124) is an optional component in the implementation of the present invention and may not be formed as necessary.

[0055] The lower side wall (123) extends downward from the middle side wall (122), and has a shape in which the inner wall surface extends outward, resulting in a reduced wall thickness compared to the middle side wall (122). The thickness (Tc) of the lower side wall (123) is smaller than the thickness (Tb) of the middle side wall (122). Therefore, the lower side wall (123) has a structure that is more easily deformed compared to the middle side wall (122). Meanwhile, in this embodiment, the lower side wall (123) has a structure with a smaller thickness compared to the middle side wall (122), but as an optional component, the lower side wall (123) and the middle side wall (122) may have the same thickness as needed.

[0056] The area where the base portion (110) and the upper side wall portion (121) are connected forms a shoulder joint portion (151). When force is applied during the wiping process, the base portion (110) and the upper side wall portion (121) may narrow or widen further apart. That is, the angle (Aa) formed by the shoulder joint portion (151) in the inward direction may become smaller or larger. Also, the area where the upper side wall portion (121) and the middle side wall portion (122) are connected forms an elbow joint portion (152). When force is applied during the wiping process, the angle (Ab) formed by the upper side wall portion (121) and the middle side wall portion (122) with respect to the outer direction of the elbow joint portion (152) may also become larger or smaller. The joint portions (151, 152) act to allow the side wall portion (120) to expand or contract more easily along the longitudinal direction as the angle (Aa, Ab) changes.

[0057] The hollow portion (140) is formed as a space enclosed along the inner wall surface of the base portion (110), the side wall portion (120), and the contact portion (130). The hollow portion (140) forms a space that allows the deformation of the side wall portion (120) to flow easily, and acts to allow the contact portion (130) to maintain a predetermined contact angle with the windshield glass surface.

[0058] The hollow portion (140) can be divided into an upper region (Ra), a middle region (Rb), and a lower region (Rb) depending on the vertical position of the side wall portion (120). The upper region (Ra) is an area formed inside the upper side wall portion (121) and has a shape in which the width decreases rapidly as it goes downward. Depending on the case, the space of the upper region (Ra) may be expanded or reduced. When the upper region (Ra) is reduced, the inner surface of the base portion (110) and the inner surface of the upper side wall portion (121) may come into contact with each other and be supported. As illustrated, the bottom surface portion (111) of the lower part of the base portion (110) may have a shape that protrudes convexly downward. This structure can act as a structure that supports the upper side wall portion (121) depending on the shape of the deformation.

[0059] The intermediate region (Rb) is an area formed inside the intermediate side wall (122) and has the narrowest width as illustrated. During a wiping operation, the space of the intermediate region (Rb) can be expanded or contracted by being deformed by the force acting on the side wall (120). When the intermediate region (Rb) is contracted, the inner surfaces of the two intermediate side walls (122) can be supported by coming into contact with each other.

[0060] The lower region (Rc) is a region formed inside the lower side wall (123) and has a shape in which the width is expanded compared to the middle region (Rb). The lower side wall (123) forming the lower region (Rc) has a shape in which the thickness becomes thinner compared to the middle side wall (122) (Tc <Tb). 따라서 하부 측벽부(123)는 중간 측벽부(122)에 의해 더욱 쉽게 변형될 수 있는 구조를 갖는다. 이러한 구조는 컨택트부(130)가 유리 표면에 대하여 소정의 접촉각도를 유지하도록 작용하는 것으로써, 전술한 본원 출원인의 등록 특허 제10-1693832호에 개시된 “단공형 각도 유지형 와이퍼 블레이드”의 각도 유지 변형부와 마찬가지 원리로 작용한다.

[0061]

[0062] FIG. 5 illustrates several examples of the cross-sectional shape of a wiper blade strip (100) when deformation occurs due to receiving force according to the wiping motion.

[0063] Figures 5 (a) and (b) illustrate the state when the wiper blade strip (100) receives a force moving in the right direction (M), and (b) illustrates a state where more deformation occurs than in (a).

[0064] Referring to FIG. 5(a), the wiper blade strip (100) receives force from the frame (10) and is moved in the right direction (M) in the drawing. The wiper blade strip (100) receives force not only in the right direction but also in the downward direction to wipe away foreign matter from the glass surface (S). The contact portion (130) has a right contact edge portion (131R) that contacts the glass surface (S). The contact edge portion (131R) forms a predetermined contact angle (A) with respect to the glass surface (S). Although not shown in the drawing, the contact edge portion (131R) is continuous in the direction of the ground and forms a state of line contact with the glass surface (S), and a wiping action occurs through the line-contacted edge.

[0065] The frictional force acting between the contact edge portion (131R) and the glass surface (S) acts in the opposite direction of the movement direction (M) with respect to the contact portion (130) and the side wall portion (120). This frictional force acts as a tensile force on the right side wall portion (120R) and a compressive force on the left side wall portion (120L). The side wall portion (120) receives a force that tilts it in the opposite direction of the movement direction (M).

[0066] Since a tensile force is applied to the right side wall (120R), the upper shoulder joint (151R) contracts, reducing the angle formed inward, and the elbow joint (152R) expands, increasing the angle formed inward. When a greater force is applied to the right side wall (120R), as shown in Fig. 5 (b), the angle inward of the shoulder joint (151R) becomes smaller, and the inner surface of the right upper side wall (121R) may be directly in contact with and supported by the inner surface of the bottom surface (111) of the base (110) (refer to the reference numeral “P1”). Since a compressive force is applied to the left side wall (120L), the upper shoulder joint (151L) expands, increasing the angle formed inward, and the elbow joint (152L) contracts, reducing the angle formed inward. When a greater force is applied to the left side wall portion (120L), as shown in FIG. 5 (b), the angle of the elbow joint portion (152L) becomes smaller, and the left wing portion (124L) may be supported by directly contacting the left upper side wall portion (121L) (refer to the reference numeral “P2”). That is, the upper and lower portions of the side wall groove (125) can be folded and closed. The left middle side wall portion (122L) provides a supporting force in the vertical direction as the wing portion (124L) is supported, and acts to support the left contact edge portion (131L) in the downward direction. As a result, the contact portion (131) maintains a predetermined contact angle (A).

[0067] In some cases, the left and right intermediate sidewalls (122L, 122R) may be supported by the force applied during the wiping motion, with their inner surfaces in contact with each other as shown in FIG. 5 (b) (refer to the reference numeral “P3”). Since the left sidewall (122L) is supported by the right sidewall (122R), the left contact edge (131L) is not lifted but acts to be pushed downward.

[0068] In the wiper blade strip (100) according to the present invention, the side wall portion (120) and the hollow portion (140) act to ensure that the contact portion (130) maintains a constant contact angle with respect to the glass surface (S) when deformed by a force acting during a wiping operation. As shown in FIG. 5 (b), the contact angle (A) of the contact portion (130) maintains an angle greater than the angle (Ao) at which the side wall portion (120) is tilted.

[0069] FIG. 5(c) illustrates the cross-sectional shape during the process in which the tilted direction of the side wall (120) changes when the wiping direction is reversed. As illustrated, the side wall (120) can be set back vertically and pressed downward by the load of the frame (10). A downward compressive force is applied to the side wall (120). The vertical length of the side wall (120) can be reduced as the angle of the joint portions (151, 152) is deformed. The hollow portion (140) provides space for the side wall (120) to deform. The hollow portion (140) can be deformed so that the cross-sectional area of ​​the upper region (Ra) and the middle region (Rb) is reduced, and the lower region (Rc) spreads outward laterally. When the wiping direction is reversed, the side wall (120) and the hollow portion (140) act to cushion the downward pressure so that the reversal operation occurs smoothly.

[0070]

[0071] Tables [1] and [2] below are tables comparing the results of testing the reverse noise of the wiper blade strip (100) according to the present invention described above and the applicant's conventional single-hole wiper blade strip.

[0072] The conditions of the inversion noise test conducted were to measure the sound generated during wiper operation using a sound level meter on a test buck that replicated the windshield of a Hyundai Sonata vehicle, with the air temperature at the time of measurement being 25±15℃, humidity 65±20%, the temperature of the precipitation sprayed on the windshield being 16±5℃, and the force of the wiper arm being 950g. The test was performed by mounting a wiper blade strip and first reciprocating 200 times on a dry glass surface, and then operating the wiper while spraying precipitation evenly on the glass surface, measuring the sound during 5 reciprocating cycles using a sound level meter.

[0073] [Table 1] shows the results of the inversion noise measurement of a wiper blade strip according to the present invention as Comparative Example 1. The wiper blade strip used in the test is the applicant's product name "6SWR09C9", and a cross-sectional photograph of the product is shown in FIG. 6.

[0074]

[0075] Cycle Round 1 2 3 4 5 Reversal Classification Up Down Up Down Up Down Up Down Up Down Measure (dBA) 3 3 2 3 3 2 3 5 3 1 3 4 3 2 3 1 3 3

[0076] [Table 2] shows the results of inversion noise measurement of a conventional single-hole wiper blade strip as Comparative Example 2. The wiper blade strip used in the test is the applicant's product name "6SNR36C1," and a cross-sectional photograph of the product is shown in FIG. 7.

[0077]

[0078] Cycle Round 1 2 3 4 5 Reversal Classification Up Down Up Down Up Down Up Down Up Down Measure (dBA) 6 1 6 7 6 5 6 3 6 2 6 5 6 5 6 7 6 9 6 4

[0079] Referring to the test results above, in the case of Comparative Example 1 according to the present invention, the measured noise value was 31 to 35 dBA, and in the case of Comparative Example 2, which is the prior art, the measured noise value was 61 to 69 dBA. That is, it is confirmed that in the case of Comparative Example 1, the noise value was reduced to half the level compared to Comparative Example 2.

[0080] In the case of Comparative Example 2, which is a conventional technology, a significant noise value was measured during the wiper reversal operation, whereas in the case of Comparative Example 1 according to the present invention, the measured noise value was significantly reduced. Generally, a noise level of 30 dBA indicates the level of operating noise of the wiper drive motor or ambient noise, so in the case of Comparative Example 1, it means that the noise caused by wiper reversal was reduced to the point where it is hardly felt by the vehicle driver.

[0081]

[0082] FIG. 8 illustrates a comparison of the changes in the cross-sectional shape of a wiper blade strip during the wiping motion reversal process, where (a) is the cross-sectional shape of a conventional wiper blade strip and (b) is the cross-sectional shape of a wiper blade strip according to the present invention. FIG. 8 illustrates the changes in the cross-sectional shape in sequence when the wiping motion is reversed from the left direction to the right direction in the drawing.

[0083] First, referring to (a), in the case of a conventional wiper blade strip (20), when the tilted direction of the tilting body (22) is changed, the tilting body (22) is set vertically as shown in the second image from the left and the upper body (21) is lifted high, and immediately after the reversal, when the tilting body (22) is tilted to the opposite side as shown in the third image from the left, the upper body (21) falls down and, as a result, a downward impact is applied, causing a problem of increased noise and vibration.

[0084] In contrast, in the case of the wiper blade strip (100) according to the present invention, as shown in (b), the height change of the upper body (101) during the inversion process is not significant due to the cross-sectional shape structure including the side wall portion (120) and the hollow portion (140). Referring to the second and third drawings from the left, it can be seen that the height of the upper body (101) falling immediately after inversion is significantly reduced compared to the conventional method. Therefore, the noise and vibration applied during inversion can be significantly reduced compared to the conventional method. The wiper blade strip is in a state where a constant pressing pressure is applied due to the spring action of the wiper arm. If the wiper blade strip moves in a direction opposite to the spring pressure due to the inversion operation, a strong impact occurs immediately after inversion due to the simultaneous action of the spring pressure and gravity. In the case of the wiper blade strip according to the present invention, inversion is possible even if the wiper blade strip is not pushed upward during the inversion operation, so a large impact does not occur immediately after inversion, and therefore, inversion noise is not generated. In addition, as described above, some or all of the base and side wall sections, wing and side wall sections, and left and right side wall sections support each other and act to mitigate the impact during reversal, thereby further enhancing the cushioning effect during reversal.

[0085]

[0086] FIG. 9 illustrates a wiper blade strip (200) according to another embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated wiper blade strip (200) includes an upper body (201), a base portion (210), a side wall portion (220), a contact portion (230), and a hollow portion (240), similar to the embodiment described above. In this embodiment, the side wall portion (220) has a different shape from the embodiment described above. That is, the side wall portion (220) does not include a wing portion, nor does it include a portion where the thickness is reduced at the bottom of the side wall portion (220). The hollow portion (240) formed on the inner side corresponding to this side wall portion (220) also has a different shape from the embodiment described above.

[0087] In this embodiment, the side wall portion (220) may be divided into an upper side wall portion (221) and a lower side wall portion (222). The upper side wall portion (221) extends downward from the base portion (210) and is formed to be inclined toward the central axis (O) so that the width of both the left and right sides gradually narrows. The area where the base portion (210) and the upper side wall portion (221) are connected forms a shoulder joint portion (251). When a force is applied to the side wall portion (220) in the lateral or longitudinal direction by a wiping motion, the angle formed by the base portion (210) and the upper side wall portion (221) at the shoulder joint portion (251) may increase or decrease.

[0088] The lower side wall portion (222) extends downward from the bottom of the upper side wall portion (221). The lower side wall portion (222) corresponds to the middle side wall portion (122) and the lower side wall portion (123) of the preceding embodiment. However, unlike the preceding embodiment, the lower side wall portion (222) does not include a wing portion. Also, unlike the preceding embodiment which includes a section where the thickness changes abruptly between the middle side wall portion (122) and the lower side wall portion (123), the lower side wall portion (222) does not include a section where the thickness changes abruptly. That is, the lower side wall portion (222) may have a uniform thickness, or a structure where the thickness gradually increases or gradually decreases.

[0089] The area where the upper side wall (221) and the lower side wall (222) are connected forms an elbow joint (252). When a force is applied to the side wall (220) in the transverse or longitudinal direction, the angle formed by the upper side wall (221) and the lower side wall (222) at the elbow joint (252) can increase or decrease. A contact portion (230) is formed at the lower end of both side walls (220).

[0090] The side wall portion (220) can be modified to allow the angle formed by the joint portions (251, 252), and the hollow portion (240) can provide a space for the side wall portion (220) to be modified. Therefore, when force is transmitted during a wiping operation, the side wall portion (220) is easily modified to provide a cushioning function.

[0091]

[0092] The wiper blade strip according to the present invention described above does not include structures such as a tilting body, shoulder, and support member that conventional wiper blade strips possess. Therefore, the impact sound that occurs when the shoulder collides with the support member during the reversal of the wiping operation is not generated. The wiper blade strip according to the present invention forms a structure in which the cross-sectional profiles of the hollow portion and the base portion, side wall portion, and contact portion surrounding it can cushion the reversal impact. The side wall portion includes a structure that can be supported when its shape is deformed, and acts to mitigate the reversal impact by being supported sequentially or partially simultaneously during the deformation process.

[0093] In addition, the wiper blade strip according to the present invention includes a joint portion in which the angle is deformed when a force is applied to the side wall portion in a lateral or longitudinal direction, thereby causing a cushioning effect to facilitate the deformation of the shape of the side wall portion.

[0094] In addition, the hollow portion formed between these side walls and the two side walls acts to cushion the force applied during the wiping operation, thereby allowing the cross-sectional shape to change smoothly.

[0095] In addition, the wiper blade strip according to the present invention includes a structure in which the side wall portion receiving force during the wiping operation is supported according to the degree of deformation, thereby maintaining the contact angle between the contact portion and the glass surface and maintaining the cleaning power of the contact portion wiping the glass surface.

[0096]

[0097] <Explanation of Drawing Symbols>

[0098] 100, 200: Wiper blade strip

[0099] 101, 201: Upper body

[0100] 110, 210: Base section

[0101] 111 : Bottom part

[0102] 120, 220: Sidewall

[0103] 121, 221: Upper sidewall

[0104] 122 : Middle sidewall

[0105] 123, 222: Lower sidewall

[0106] 124 : Wing

[0107] 125 : Sidewall groove

[0108] 130, 230: Contact part

[0109] 131 : Contact edge

[0110] 140 : China

[0111] 151, 251: Shoulder joint section

[0112] 152, 252: Elbow joint section

[0113]

[0114] The wiper blade strip of the present invention can be widely used in wiper devices for windshields of vehicles and other transport devices.

Claims

1. An upper body receiving a force from the frame that causes a wiping motion; A base portion exposed from the upper body to the lower part of the frame; A pair of side wall sections extending below the base section and spaced apart laterally; A contact portion formed by connecting the ends of the above pair of sidewall portions to each other and contacting the windshield surface; and It includes a hollow portion formed by being surrounded by the base portion, the pair of side wall portions, and the contact portion, A wiper blade strip comprising a pair of sidewalls, an upper sidewall extending from the base and formed inclined toward the central axis direction, an intermediate sidewall extending below the upper sidewall, and a lower sidewall extending below the intermediate sidewall.

2. In Paragraph 1, A wiper blade strip having a thinner thickness than the middle side wall portion, wherein the lower side wall portion is thinner.

3. In Paragraph 2, The above hollow portion includes an upper region, an intermediate region, and a lower region formed on the inner side corresponding to the upper side wall portion, the intermediate side wall portion, and the lower side wall portion, and A wiper blade strip having an upper region that narrows in width as it goes downward, an intermediate region that has a constant width, and a lower region that has an expanding width.

4. In Paragraph 3, The above pair of sidewalls includes a wing portion protruding laterally to the outer sidewall portion, and A wiper blade strip having a side wall groove formed between the upper part of the wing portion and the upper side wall portion.

5. In Paragraph 4, A wiper blade strip having a shape in which the bottom surface of the base portion protrudes convexly downward toward the inside of the hollow portion.

6. In Paragraph 4, During the wiping operation, the angle formed inwardly by the shoulder joint portion at the location where the base portion and the upper side wall portion meet on the side wall portion in the direction receiving tensile force becomes smaller, and A wiper blade strip that is deformed so that the angle formed by the elbow joint at the location where the upper side wall and the middle side wall meet in the outward direction increases.

7. In Paragraph 4, During the wiping operation, the angle formed inwardly by the shoulder joint portion at the location where the base portion and the upper side wall portion meet on the side wall portion in the direction receiving the compressive force increases, and A wiper blade strip that is deformed so that the angle formed by the elbow joint at the location where the upper side wall and the middle side wall meet in the outward direction becomes smaller.

8. In Paragraph 4, A wiper blade strip that deforms such that when subjected to force by a wiping motion, the contact angle formed by the contact portion with respect to the windshield glass surface is greater than the angle at which the side wall portion is tilted.

9. In Paragraph 4, A wiper blade strip in which the side wall portion in the direction receiving compressive force during wiping operation is deformed so that the wing portion is supported by the upper side wall portion.

10. In Paragraph 4, A wiper blade strip in which the side wall portion in the direction receiving tensile force during wiping operation is deformed such that the inner surface of the upper side wall portion is supported by the bottom surface portion of the base portion.

11. In Paragraph 4, A wiper blade strip in which, during a wiping operation, the pair of sidewalls are deformed so that the inner surfaces of the intermediate sidewalls come into contact with each other.

Images