Wiper arm

By designing the fastening and protruding connection between the cover and the arm head in the wiper arm, the problem of loose arm body and arm head is solved, and a high-quality wiper arm is achieved, improving the user experience and motor efficiency, and in line with the sustainable development goals.

CN120348245APending Publication Date: 2025-07-22MITSUBA CORP
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202510015763.1
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2024-01-22
Filing Date
2025-01-06
Publication Date
2025-07-22

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The connecting part of the arm main body and the arm head of the existing wiper arm is prone to loosening, resulting in rattle and vibration, affecting the comfort of use, and the vibration propagation of the wiper motor leads to a deterioration of quality.

Method used

A wiper arm is designed, including a cover, an arm head and an arm body. The cover has a fastening part and a protrusion. It engages with the arm head through the fastening part and abuts the arm head through the fastening part and suppresses loosening of the connection part and maintains a high-strength connection through an elastic force.

Benefits of technology

It effectively suppresses the looseness and vibration propagation of the linkage, improves the quality and comfort of the wiper arm, reduces the motor load, improves the rotation efficiency, and complies with the Sustainable Development Goals.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The present invention addresses the problem of improving the quality of a wiper arm. The wiper arm (11) includes an arm head (13), a cover (17) having a top wall and wall portions (17a, 17b), the top wall including a fastening portion extending toward the arm head (13) side, and the wall portions (17a, 17b) including a protruding portion (17e) extending toward the arm head (13) side, and an arm body (14). The arm main body (14) includes a connecting portion (14d) that can be connected to the arm head (13), and the arm head (13) is covered by the cover (17) in a state in which the arm main body (14) and the arm head (13) are connected by the connecting portion (14d). One part of the fastening part is clamped with the arm head (13), so that the other part of the fastening part abuts against the connecting part (14d), and the protruding part (17e) abuts against the arm head (13).
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wiper arm of a wiper device that wipes a wiping surface. Background Art

[0002] A wiper device is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile. The wiper device includes a wiper arm and a wiper blade. The wiper arm includes an arm main body, an arm head, and a head cover, and swings by driving of a wiper motor. The wiper blade is mounted on the wiper arm and wipes the wiping surface.

[0003] As an example of the wiper arm of the wiper device, Patent Document 1 discloses a wiper arm in which the arm main body is rotatably connected to the arm head.

[0004] [Prior Art Documents]

[0005] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-101059 Summary of the Invention

[0007] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0008] In a wiper arm having an arm main body, an arm head connected to the arm main body, and a head cover covering the arm head, the arm main body and the arm head are each formed of resin.

[0009] Therefore, looseness is likely to occur at the connecting portion between the arm main body and the arm head depending on the molding accuracy or molding state.

[0010] Therefore, the parts interfere with each other due to the looseness at the connecting portion, generating a sound (rattling sound) different from normal.

[0011] In addition, during the driving of the wiper arm, in addition to the looseness between the arm main body and the arm head at the connecting portion, the vibration from the wiper motor is transmitted to the connecting portion and then transmitted to the wiper blade mounted on the arm main body via the arm main body, which becomes one of the causes of the vibration (flutter) generated in the wiper blade.

[0012] Due to the sound (rattling sound) different from normal caused by the looseness and the flutter caused by the transmission of the looseness and the vibration from the wiper motor, discomfort is brought to the user, and the quality of the wiper arm may be impaired.

[0013] In addition, although it is conceivable to suppress the looseness at the connecting portion by using the head cover, since the vibration from the wiper motor is also transmitted to the head cover, it is not easy to suppress the looseness at the connecting portion by using the head cover.

[0014] In Patent Document 1, the case where the cowl is installed on the arm head is described, but the countermeasure for the looseness at the connecting portion of the cowl is not described.

[0015] An object of the present invention is to provide a wiper arm that realizes improved quality.

[0016] [Technical means for solving the problem]

[0017] One embodiment of the present invention is a wiper arm, including: an arm head; a cowl covering the arm head; and an arm main body rotatably connected to the arm head. In the wiper arm, the cowl has a top wall and wall portions connected to the top wall and facing each other. The top wall includes a fastening portion extending toward the arm head side in the height direction of the cowl, and the wall portion includes a protruding portion extending toward the arm head side in the width direction of the cowl. The arm main body includes a connecting portion capable of being connected to the arm head. The arm head is covered by the cowl in a state where the arm main body and the arm head are connected by the connecting portion. A part of the fastening portion engages with the arm head, whereby another part of the fastening portion abuts against the connecting portion, and the protruding portion abuts against the arm head.

[0018] In another embodiment of the present invention, the arm head has a receiving portion capable of receiving a part of the fastening portion.

[0019] In another embodiment of the present invention, the arm main body includes arm wall portions arranged to face each other. The connecting portion includes a shaft portion extending along the width direction of the arm main body and connecting the facing arm wall portions. A part of the fastening portion engages with the arm head, whereby another part of the fastening portion abuts against the shaft portion.

[0020] In another embodiment of the present invention, the arm head has a convex portion provided on a side surface of the arm head. The protruding portion includes: a groove portion engaged with the convex portion; and a hollow portion provided outside the groove portion in the width direction of the cowl.

[0021] [Effects of the invention]

[0022] By the present invention, it is possible to realize an improvement in the quality of the wiper arm. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 It is a plan view showing an external structure of a wiper device including a wiper arm according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A side view of the structure of the wiper device shown.

[0025] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1Rear view of the structure of the wiper device shown

[0026] Figure 4 represents Figure 3 Enlarged rear view of the structure of part A shown

[0027] Figure 5 represents Figure 1 Enlarged sectional view of the structure of the connecting portion between the arm head and the arm body in the wiper arm shown

[0028] Figure 6 represents Figure 1 Plan view of the structure of the arm head in the wiper arm shown

[0029] Figure 7 represents Figure 6 Stereo view of the structure of the arm head shown

[0030] Figure 8 represents Figure 1 Side view of the structure of the cover in the wiper arm shown

[0031] Figure 9 represents Figure 8 Rear view of the structure of the cover shown

[0032] Figure 10 represents Figure 8 Stereo view of the internal structure of the cover shown

[0033] Figure 11 represents Figure 1 Partial side view of the open / closed state of the cover in the wiper arm shown

[0034] Figure 12 represents Figure 11 Partial side view of the cover lifting action when the cover is opened in the wiper arm shown

[0035] [Description of symbols]

[0036] 10: Wiper device

[0037] 11: Wiper arm

[0038] 12: Support part

[0039] 13: Arm head

[0040] 13a, 13b: Sides

[0041] 13c: Top surface

[0042] 13d: Receiving part

[0043] 13e: Engaging part

[0044] 13f: Convex portion

[0045] 13g: Fixed portion

[0046] 13h: Connecting groove

[0047] 14: Arm main body

[0048] 14a, 14b: Wall portions (arm wall portions)

[0049] 14c: Top wall

[0050] 14d: Connecting portion

[0051] 14e: Shaft portion

[0052] 14f: Arc-shaped portion

[0053] 14g: Flat portion

[0054] 15: Wiper blade

[0055] 16: Blade rubber

[0056] 17: Cover

[0057] 17a, 17b: Wall portions

[0058] 17c: Top wall

[0059] 17d: Fastening portion

[0060] 17e: Protruding portion

[0061] 17f: Fixed claw (part)

[0062] 17g: Extended portion (another part)

[0063] 17h: Groove portion

[0064] 17i: Hollow portion

[0065] 17j, 17k: Concave portions

[0066] 17m: Step portion

[0067] 19: Spring

[0068] 20: Fixing member

[0069] D1, D2, D3: Lengths

[0070] H1: Width direction

[0071] L1: Length direction

[0072] T1: Height direction Detailed implementation manners

[0073] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0074] Figures 1 to 3 The wiper device 10 shown is, for example, a device that wipes a wiping surface such as a rear glass provided on a vehicle such as an automobile. The wiper device 10 includes: a wiper arm 11 including an arm main body 14; a support portion 12 mounted on the front end side of the arm main body 14; and a wiper blade 15 mounted on the support portion 12 and including a blade rubber 16 that wipes the wiping surface. In addition, the wiper blade 15 is rotatably supported by the support portion 12.

[0075] In addition, Figure 2 The wiper arm 11 shown includes an arm main body 14, an arm head 13 that rotatably supports the arm main body 14, and a cover 17 that covers the arm head 13. That is, the arm main body 14 is rotatably connected to the arm head 13.

[0076] As Figure 3 shown, a fixing portion 13g is provided on the proximal end side (opposite to the front end side) of the wiper arm 11, and an output shaft of a wiper motor (not shown) that drives the wiper device 10 is fixed to the fixing portion 13g. Specifically, the output shaft of the wiper motor is fixed to a metal fixing member 20 buried in the fixing portion 13g of the arm head 13.

[0077] Moreover, by turning on a wiper switch provided in the vehicle interior or the like, the output shaft of the wiper motor rotates in the forward and reverse directions, so that the wiper arm 11 swings. As a result, the blade rubber 16 of the wiper blade 15 shown performs a reciprocating wiping action within a specified wiping range of the wiping surface such as the rear glass. As a result, rainwater and the like adhering to the wiping surface of the rear glass and the like are wiped off. Figure 1 shown performs a reciprocating wiping action within a specified wiping range of the wiping surface such as the rear glass. As a result, rainwater and the like adhering to the wiping surface of the rear glass and the like are wiped off.

[0078] A pressing force acts on the arm main body 14 of the wiper arm 11 in a direction in which the arm main body 14 is tilted toward the wiping surface of the rear glass or the like. Therefore, when the wiper blade 15 performs a reciprocating wiping action, the wiper blade 15 does not fall off. In addition, the pressing force is generated by the spring force of a tension spring 19 provided on the proximal end side of the arm main body 14 shown. Figure 3 shown is generated by the spring force of a tension spring 19 provided on the proximal end side of the arm main body 14.

[0079] In the wiper arm 11 of the present embodiment, as Figures 1 to 4 shown, the arm main body 14 is rotatably mounted at the front end portion of the arm head 13. Moreover, a cover 17 that covers the arm head 13 is provided outside the arm head 13. The cover 17 is provided so as not to impair the design of the wiper arm 11 and has an external shape that is the same as the external shape of the arm main body 14.

[0080] Here, the respective schematic shapes of the main structural members constituting the wiper arm 11 will be described.

[0081] The arm main body 14 is formed of resin, for example, and is an elongated member extending along the length direction L1. The arm main body 14 includes wall portions 14a and 14b that are arranged facing each other as arm wall portions, and includes a top wall 14c connected to the wall portions 14a and 14b. That is, the shape of the cross-section of the arm main body 14 in the direction orthogonal to the length direction L1 is U-shaped, and one end of the spring 19 is installed inside the arm main body 14. The other end of the spring 19 is installed on the arm head 13.

[0082] In addition, as Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown, the arm main body 14 includes a connecting portion 14d that can be connected to the arm head 13. The connecting portion 14d includes a shaft portion 14e that extends along the width direction H1 of the arm main body 14 and connects the facing wall portions 14a and 14b. That is, the arm main body 14 is rotatably connected to the arm head 13 at the shaft portion 14e included in the connecting portion 14d of the arm main body 14.

[0083] The arm head 13 is formed of resin, for example, and as Figure 6 and Figure 7 shown, is an elongated box-shaped member extending along the length direction L1. The arm head 13 has a side surface 13a arranged on one side in the width direction H1, a side surface 13b arranged on the other side opposite to the side surface 13a, and a top surface 13c connected to the upper ends of the side surface 13a and the side surface 13b, respectively.

[0084] In addition, the arm head 13 has a connecting groove 13h and is connected to the shaft portion 14e of the connecting portion 14d of the arm main body 14 through the connecting groove 13h.

[0085] The cover 17 is formed of resin, for example, and as Figures 8 to 10 shown, is formed in a semi-cylindrical shape (or U-shaped) so as to cover the arm head 13. Specifically, the cover 17 has a wall portion 17a arranged on one side in the width direction H1, a wall portion 17b arranged on the other side in the width direction H1 and facing the wall portion 17a, and a top wall 17c connected to the upper ends of the wall portion 17a and the wall portion 17b, respectively, and forms a semi-cylindrical shape by the wall portion 17a, the wall portion 17b, and the top wall 17c. Thus, in a state where the cover 17 covers the arm head 13, the wall portion 17a of the cover 17 covers the side surface 13a of the arm head 13, and the wall portion 17b of the cover 17 covers the side surface 13b of the arm head 13.

[0086] In addition, as Figure 11As shown, the cover 17 is rotatably mounted on the proximal end side of the arm head 13. By rotatably mounting the cover 17, when assembling the wiper device 10 to an automobile, the cover 17 can be in an open state and bolts (not shown) can be tightened. Thereby, the arm head 13 can be fixed.

[0087] In addition, as Figure 6 and Figure 7 shown, convex portions 13f are respectively provided on side surfaces 13a and 13b on the proximal end side of the arm head 13.

[0088] On the other hand, as Figure 10 shown, protruding portions 17e protruding inward are provided on the inner walls of wall portions 17a and 17b on the proximal end side of the cover 17. Further, on the protruding portion 17e, an elongated groove portion 17h is formed along the inner wall. And the convex portions 13f on side surfaces 13a and 13b of the arm head 13 are fitted into the groove portions 17h provided in the protruding portions 17e on the inner walls of wall portions 17a and 17b of the cover 17. Thereby, the cover 17 can rotate with the convex portion 13f of the arm head 13 as a rotation axis.

[0089] Next, a detailed description will be given of the connecting portion 14d that connects the arm main body 14 and the arm head 13 as Figure 5 shown. The connecting portion 14d of the arm main body 14 includes a shaft portion 14e that connects the wall portion 14a and the wall portion 14b. That is, the shaft portion 14e of the arm main body 14 is engaged with a semicircular connecting groove 13h of the arm head 13, thereby forming the connecting portion 14d. The shaft portion 14e is rotatably engaged with the connecting groove 13h. Therefore, the arm main body 14 is rotatably connected to the arm head 13 at the connecting portion 14d.

[0090] In addition, the shape of the cross section of the shaft portion 14e in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the shaft portion 14e includes an arc-shaped portion 14f and a flat portion 14g. At this time, in the shape of the cross section of the shaft portion 14e and the shape of the semicircular connecting groove 13h of the arm head 13, if the axial diameter length of the flat portion 14g is D1, the axial diameter length of the arc-shaped portion 14f is D3, and the length of the entrance of the connecting groove 13h is D2, then D1 < D2 < D3.

[0091] Thereby, when connecting the arm main body 14 and the arm head 13 or disconnecting the arm main body 14 and the arm head 13, at the rotation position of the shaft portion 14e, the attachment and detachment of the arm main body 14 with respect to the arm head 13 can be performed only at the position where the axial diameter length D1 of the flat portion 14g overlaps with the length D2 of the entrance of the connecting groove 13h.

[0092] On the other hand, at the rotational position of the shaft portion 14e, at a position where the length D1 of the shaft diameter of the planar portion 14g does not overlap with the length D2 of the entrance of the connecting groove 13h, that is, at a position where the length D3 of the shaft diameter of the arc-shaped portion 14f overlaps with the length D2 of the entrance of the connecting groove 13h, the shaft portion 14e does not disengage from the connecting groove 13h, and thus the arm main body 14 can rotate relative to the arm head 13.

[0093] Next, the detailed structures of the cover 17 and the arm head 13 of the present embodiment will be described. As Figures 8 to 10 shown, the top wall 17c of the cover 17 includes a fastening portion 17d that extends toward the arm head 13 side in the height direction T1 of the cover 17. Further, the wall portions 17a and 17b of the cover 17 include protruding portions 17e that extend toward the arm head 13 side in the width direction H1 of the cover 17.

[0094] Specifically, as Figure 8 shown, a fixing claw 17f and a protruding portion 17g that protrude downward in the height direction T1 of the cover 17 are provided on the inner wall of the top wall 17c of the cover 17. That is, the fastening portion 17d of the cover 17 is a portion that protrudes downward in the height direction T1 of the cover 17 at a position on the front end side of the inner wall of the cover 17 opposite to the base end portion, and includes a fixing claw (a part) 17f and a protruding portion (the other part) 17g.

[0095] The fixing claw 17f protrudes further downward than the protruding portion 17g. As Figure 9 and Figure 10 shown, the protruding portion 17g extends along the inner wall of the top wall 17c and is formed in a U shape when viewed from above the inner wall of the top wall 17c.

[0096] In addition, the protruding portion 17e of the cover 17 is a portion that protrudes inward from the wall portions 17a and 17b of the cover 17 at the base end portion of the cover 17. That is, the protruding portion 17e is a portion that protrudes inward from the respective inner walls of the wall portions 17a and 17b of the cover 17 at the base end portion of the cover 17.

[0097] The protruding portion 17e is formed in a long and thin box shape on the respective inner walls of the wall portions 17a and 17b.

[0098] In addition, as Figure 6 and Figure 7 shown, the arm head 13 has a receiving portion 13d that can receive a part of the fastening portion 17d of the cover 17 as shown in Figure 8 . Specifically, the arm head 13 has a receiving portion 13d that is recessed in the top surface 13c on the side opposite to the base end portion (front end side), and the receiving portion 13d can receive the fixing claw 17f that is a part of the fastening portion 17d of the cover 17.

[0099] In addition, an engaging portion 13e that blocks a part of the concave housing portion 13d is provided in the housing portion 13d. When the fixing claw 17f of the fastening portion 17d of the cover 17 is housed in the housing portion 13d of the arm head 13, the fixing claw 17f is hooked on the engaging portion 13e, so that the fixing claw 17f does not simply disengage from the engaging portion 13e.

[0100] In addition, as Figure 5 shown, the protruding portion (the other part) 17g of the fastening portion 17d of the cover 17 abuts against the shaft portion 14e of the arm main body 14 in the connecting portion 14d of the arm main body 14. In other words, the fastening portion 17d provided on the top wall 17c of the cover 17 abuts against the shaft portion 14e of the arm main body 14.

[0101] That is, in the wiper arm 11 of the present embodiment, the arm head 13 is covered with the cover 17 in a state where the arm main body 14 and the arm head 13 are connected by the connecting portion 14d. In this state, the fastening portion 17d abuts against the connecting portion 14d by engaging with the arm head 13, and the protruding portion 17e abuts against the arm head 13.

[0102] Specifically, in a state where the shaft portion 14e of the arm main body 14 is connected to the connecting groove 13h of the arm head 13 through the connecting portion 14d, the arm head 13 is covered with the cover 17. In this state, the fixing claw 17f of the fastening portion 17d of the cover 17 is housed in the housing portion 13d of the arm head 13 and engages with the engaging portion 13e. Further, in the connecting portion 14d, the protruding portion 17g of the cover 17 abuts against the shaft portion 14e of the arm main body 14. In other words, the shaft portion 14e of the arm main body 14 is in a state of being pressed from above by the protruding portion 17g of the cover 17 abutting against it.

[0103] In addition, in a state where the arm head 13 is covered with the cover 17, the protruding portions 17e provided on the inner walls of the wall portion 17a and the wall portion 17b of the cover 17 abut against the arm head 13. Specifically, in a state where the arm head 13 is covered with the cover 17, the protruding portion 17e provided on the inner wall of the wall portion 17a of the cover 17 abuts against the side surface 13a of the arm head 13, and the protruding portion 17e provided on the inner wall of the wall portion 17b of the cover 17 abuts against the side surface 13b of the arm head 13.

[0104] That is, in a state where the arm head 13 is covered with the cover 17, the protruding portion 17e of the wall portion 17a of the cover 17 abuts against the side surface 13a of the arm head 13, and the protruding portion 17e of the wall portion 17b of the cover 17 abuts against the side surface 13b of the arm head 13. Thereby, the cover 17 is fixed to the arm head 13 with high strength.

[0105] According to the above, in the state where the arm head 13 is covered by the cover 17, in the connection portion 14d of the arm body 14, the extension portion 17g of the cover 17 abuts against the shaft portion 14e of the arm body 14, and the shaft portion 14e is pressed from above with high strength by the extension portion 17g of the cover 17. Furthermore, the cover 17 is fixed to the arm head 13 with high strength by the protrusions 17e at the left and right positions of the cover 17 abutting against the arm head 13, and the cover 17 and the arm head 13 are integrated.

[0106] In addition, if Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 1 , a convex portion 13f is provided on the side surface 13a and the side surface 13b on the base end side of the arm head 13, respectively. Figure 10 As shown in FIG. 1 , a protrusion 17e is provided on each inner wall of the wall portion 17a and the wall portion 17b of the cover 17. The protrusion 17e includes a groove portion 17h into which the convex portion 13f fits. Furthermore, the protrusion 17e provided on each inner wall of the wall portion 17a and the wall portion 17b includes a hollow portion 17i provided outside the groove portion 17h in the width direction H1 of the cover 17.

[0107] That is, the box-shaped protrusion 17e provided in each inner wall of the wall 17a and the wall 17b is provided with an elongated groove 17h and a hollow portion 17i provided outside the groove 17h via the groove 17h and the wall. In addition, the elongated groove 17h is provided with a recess 17j, a step portion 17m, and a recess 17k from the lower side to the upper side of the cover 17. In the groove 17h, the step portion 17m located therebetween is the highest compared to the recess 17j located at the lower side or the recess 17k located at the upper side.

[0108] When the cover 17 is opened and closed relative to the arm head 13, the convex portion 13f of the arm head 13 engaged with the elongated groove portion 17h of the cover 17 moves in the elongated groove portion 17h. For example, when the cover 17 is opened relative to the arm head 13, the convex portion 13f of the arm head 13 moves from the concave portion 17k located on the upper side to the concave portion 17j located on the lower side across the middle step portion 17m. Conversely, when the cover 17 is closed relative to the arm head 13, the convex portion 13f of the arm head 13 moves from the concave portion 17j located on the lower side to the concave portion 17k located on the upper side across the middle step portion 17m.

[0109] The opening and closing operation of the cover 17 will be described in relation to the fastening portion 17 d of the cover 17 and the housing portion 13 d of the arm head 13 .

[0110] First, if Figure 12 As shown, when the cover 17 is opened relative to the arm head 13, the rear side (base end side) of the cover 17 is lifted upward. Figure 6 The convex portion 13f existing on the outer side of the side 13a and the side 13b of the arm head 13 shown in FIG.Figure 10 It moves within the groove portion 17h existing inside the wall portion 17a and the wall portion 17b of the cover 17 shown, and the cover 17 moves slightly rearward relative to the arm head 13.

[0111] In addition, since the protruding portions 17e at two positions inside the cover 17 are in contact with the side surfaces 13a and 13b of the arm head 13, the convex portion 13f of the arm head 13 will not move within the groove portion 17h of the cover 17 unless a force is applied by lifting the rear side of the cover 17 upward. That is, unless a force is applied by lifting the rear side of the cover 17 upward, the cover 17 will not easily detach from the arm head 13.

[0112] At this time, since the protruding portion 17e provided inside the cover 17 includes a hollow portion 17i outside the groove portion 17h, when a force is applied to the cover 17 by lifting the rear side of the cover 17 upward, the stepped portion 17m inside the groove portion 17h of the cover 17 pressed by the convex portion 13f of the arm head 13 is recessed. Thus, the convex portion 13f can move from the concave portion 17k inside the groove portion 17h over the stepped portion 17m to the concave portion 17j.

[0113] Normally, in a state where no force is applied to the cover 17 from the outside, the protruding portions 17e at two positions of the cover 17 are in contact with the side surfaces 13a and 13b of the arm head 13, whereby the arm head 13 and the cover 17 are integrated with high strength.

[0114] On the other hand, since the protruding portion 17e provided inside the cover 17 includes a hollow portion 17i, the protruding portion 17e has an elastic force. Therefore, when a force is applied to the cover 17 by lifting the rear side of the cover 17 upward, the cover 17 is in a state of being pressed by the convex portion 13f of the arm head 13, and the stepped portion 17m of the protruding portion 17e of the cover 17 is recessed. Thus, the convex portion 13f of the arm head 13 can move within the groove portion 17h, as Figure 12 shown, the rear side of the cover 17 can be lifted upward.

[0115] And when the rear side of the cover 17 is lifted upward, the front side (arm main body 14 side) of the cover 17 descends downward. Thus, the fixing claw 17f of the fastening portion 17d of the cover 17 disengages from the engaging portion 13e in the front side receiving portion 13d of the arm head 13. Then, by lifting the front side of the cover 17, the cover 17 is rotated relative to the arm head 13, as Figure 11 shown, the cover 17 can be opened.

[0116] As described above, since the protruding portion 17e provided on the cover 17 in the present embodiment has an elastic force, the arm head 13 and the cover 17 can be integrated with high strength, and the cover 17 can also be detached from the arm head 13 by applying an external force to the cover 17.

[0117] In addition, when closing the cover 17 relative to the wiper arm head 13, an operation opposite to the operation of opening the cover 17 is performed. That is, with the rear side of the cover 17 lifted upward, the cover 17 is rotated relative to the wiper arm head 13 to close it.

[0118] Then, the fixing claw 17f on the front side of the cover 17 is disposed in the receiving portion 13d on the front side of the wiper arm head 13, and a force is applied to the rear side of the cover 17 to press the cover 17 downward. As a result, the fixing claw 17f on the front side of the cover 17 is hooked on the engaging portion 13e of the receiving portion 13d on the front side of the wiper arm head 13, thereby completing the operation of closing the cover 17.

[0119] According to the wiper arm 11 of the present embodiment, by providing the fastening portion 17d on the front side (wiper arm main body 14 side) of the cover 17, when closing the cover 17 relative to the wiper arm head 13, in the connecting portion 14d of the wiper arm main body 14, the protruding portion 17g of the fastening portion 17d of the cover 17 abuts against the shaft portion 14e of the wiper arm main body 14, and the shaft portion 14e is pressed from above by the protruding portion 17g of the cover 17 with high strength.

[0120] Thereby, loosening between the shaft portion 14e of the wiper arm main body 14 and the connecting groove 13h of the wiper arm head 13 in which the shaft portion 14e is disposed can be suppressed. That is, loosening in the height direction T1 in the connecting portion 14d between the wiper arm head 13 and the wiper arm main body 14 can be suppressed.

[0121] In addition, by providing the protruding portion 17e inside the cover 17, when closing the cover 17 relative to the wiper arm head 13, the protruding portion 17e abuts against the side surfaces 13a and 13b of the wiper arm head 13. As a result, the cover 17 is fixed to the wiper arm head 13 with high strength, and the cover 17 can be integrated with the wiper arm head 13. That is, loosening in the width direction H1 between the cover 17 and the wiper arm head 13 can be suppressed.

[0122] Furthermore, by providing the protruding portion 17e on the cover 17, when closing the cover 17 relative to the wiper arm head 13, the cover 17 is fixed to the wiper arm head 13 with high strength, and the cover 17 can be integrated with the wiper arm head 13.

[0123] As a result, vibration from the wiper motor that causes the wiper arm 11 to swing can be suppressed from being transmitted to the connecting portion 14d between the wiper arm head 13 and the wiper arm main body 14. That is, in a state where the cover 17 is closed relative to the wiper arm head 13, loosening between the wiper arm head 13 and the wiper arm main body 14 and loosening between the wiper arm head 13 and the cover 17 can be suppressed simultaneously.

[0124] Thereby, interference between parts due to loosening at the connecting portion 14d can be suppressed, and generation of abnormal sounds (rattling sounds) different from normal can be prevented.

[0125] In addition, vibration from the wiper motor during wiper arm driving can be suppressed from being transmitted to the wiper blade 15 via the wiper arm main body 14, thereby suppressing generation of vibration (flutter) of the wiper blade 15.

[0126] As described above, it is possible to improve the quality of the wiper arm 11.

[0127] In addition, in the wiper arm 11 according to the present embodiment, loosening at the connecting portion 14d between the arm head 13 and the arm main body 14 can be suppressed, and thus the load related to the wiper motor that swings the wiper arm 11 can be reduced. As a result, the rotation efficiency of the wiper motor can be improved. Thereby, it is possible to contribute to the United Nations-led Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 7 (Ensure access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable modern energy for all) and Goal 13 (Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts).

[0128] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and of course, various modifications can be made without departing from the gist thereof. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the wiper arm is shown as a component of a rear wiper device that wipes a wiping surface such as the rear glass of a vehicle such as an automobile, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and it can also be applied to a wiper device mounted on the front side of a vehicle such as an automobile, or a wiper device mounted on a ship, an airplane, a railway vehicle, or the like.

Claims

1. A wiper arm, comprising: An arm head; A cover covering the arm head; And An arm body rotatably connected to the arm head. In the wiper arm, The cover has a top wall and wall portions connected to the top wall and facing each other, The top wall includes a fastening portion extending toward the arm head side in the height direction of the cover, The wall portion includes a protruding portion extending toward the arm head side in the width direction of the cover, The arm body includes a connecting portion capable of being connected to the arm head, The arm head is covered by the cover in a state where the arm body and the arm head are connected by the connecting portion, A part of the fastening portion engages with the arm head, whereby another part of the fastening portion abuts against the connecting portion, and the protruding portion abuts against the arm head.

2. The wiper arm according to claim 1, wherein The arm head has a receiving portion capable of receiving a part of the fastening portion.

3. The wiper arm according to claim 2, wherein The arm body includes arm wall portions arranged facing each other, The connecting portion includes a shaft portion extending along the width direction of the arm body and connecting the facing arm wall portions, A part of the fastening portion engages with the arm head, whereby another part of the fastening portion abuts against the shaft portion.

4. The wiper arm according to claim 2 or 3, wherein The arm head has a convex portion provided on a side surface of the arm head, The protruding portion includes: a groove portion engaged with the convex portion; and a hollow portion provided outside the groove portion in the width direction of the cover.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Wiper arm

    JP2014101059A