Wiper device

Abstract

Provided is a wiper device capable of restricting the rotation angle of an arm handle with respect to an arm head without increasing the number of parts, and capable of holding the arm handle with respect to the arm head at a rotation angle close to a state in which the rotation angle is restricted. The wiper device is provided with: a lock groove (59) which is provided in the arm head (50) and which is recessed toward both sides of the wiper blade in the wiping direction; and a locking claw (49a) which is provided on the arm handle (40) and has a convex shape toward both sides in the wiping direction of the wiper blade, and which, by engaging the locking groove (59) and the locking claw (49a) with each other in a concave-convex manner, restricts the rotation of the arm handle (40) by a [beta] degree (about 22 degrees) or more with respect to the arm head (50), and is held in a state in which the arm handle (40) is erected at an [alpha] degree (about 20 degrees) smaller than the [beta] degree with respect to the arm head (50).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wiper device including a wiper blade that wipes a wiping surface and swinging via a swing shaft. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a wiper arm mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile. The wiper arm includes: an arm head main body fixed to a drive shaft; a holder rotatably connected to the arm head main body; and a rotation restricting member provided between the arm head main body and the holder. The rotation restricting member has a function of restricting the rotation angle of the holder relative to the arm head main body so as not to allow the holder to stand up significantly relative to the arm head main body.

[0003] [Prior Art Documents]

[0004] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-101059 Summary of the Invention

[0006] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0007] However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to provide a rotation restricting member as another member between the holder and the arm head main body, resulting in an increase in the number of parts. In addition, it is not possible to hold the holder relative to the arm head main body at a rotation angle close to the rotation angle at which the rotation angle is restricted by the rotation restricting member.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a wiper device that can restrict the rotation angle of a arm handle relative to an arm head without increasing the number of parts and can hold the arm handle relative to the arm head at a rotation angle close to the rotation angle at which the rotation angle is restricted.

[0009] [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0010] In one aspect of the wiper device, the wiper device includes: an arm head fixed to a swing shaft; an arm handle rotatably mounted on the arm head at the proximal end side; and a wiper blade mounted on the front end side of the arm handle to wipe a wiping surface, the wiper device having: a head-side engaging portion provided on the arm head and being concave or convex toward at least one side in the wiping direction of the wiper blade; and a handle-side engaging portion provided on the arm handle and being convex or concave toward the other side in the wiping direction of the wiper blade, and by the head-side engaging portion and the handle-side engaging portion being engaged with each other in a concave-convex manner, the rotation of the arm handle relative to the arm head by more than a first rotation angle is restricted, and the state in which the arm handle stands up relative to the arm head at a second rotation angle smaller than the first rotation angle is maintained.

[0011] [Advantages of the Invention]

[0012] With the present invention, a windshield wiper device can be realized, which can limit the rotation angle of the arm handle relative to the arm head without increasing the number of parts, and can hold the arm handle relative to the arm head in a state close to the rotation angle with the rotation angle limited. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 It is a view of the windshield wiper device observed from the front side.

[0014] Figure 2 It is a view of the windshield wiper device observed from the side.

[0015] Figure 3 It is a view of the windshield wiper device observed from the back side.

[0016] Figure 4 It is a sectional view along line A-A of Figure 1 .

[0017] Figure 5 It is a perspective view showing the arm handle and the windshield wiper blade.

[0018] Figure 6 It is a magnified perspective view of the proximal end side of the arm handle.

[0019] Figure 7 It is a perspective view of the arm head observed from the front side.

[0020] Figure 8 It is a perspective view of the arm head observed from the back side.

[0021] Figure 9 It is Figure 7 an enlarged view of the dashed circle B portion of

[0022] Figure 10 It is a sectional view when the windshield wiper device is in the back lock holding state.

[0023] Figure 11 It is a sectional view along line C-C of Figure 10 .

[0024] Figure 12 It is a view showing the relationship between the convex portion on the handle side and the concave portion on the head side in the back lock holding state.

[0025] Figure 13 It is a view corresponding to Figure 11 when the windshield wiper device is in the rotation limit state.

[0026] Figure 14 It is a view corresponding to Figure 12 when the windshield wiper device is in the rotation limit state.

[0027] [Description of Symbols]

[0028] 10: Wiper device

[0029] 20: Wiper blade

[0030] 21: Connecting member

[0031] 21a: Connecting part

[0032] 22: Blade rubber

[0033] 23: Cover

[0034] 24: End cap

[0035] 30: Wiper arm

[0036] 40: Arm handle

[0037] 41: Side wall part

[0038] 42: Top wall part

[0039] 43: Connecting shaft

[0040] 43a: Flat part

[0041] 44: Notch part

[0042] 45: Mounting shaft

[0043] 46: Handle-side hooking part

[0044] 47: Spring receiving recess

[0045] 47a: Tapered part

[0046] 48: Reinforcing rib

[0047] 49: Inner surface part

[0048] 49a: Locking claw (handle-side engaging part, convex part)

[0049] 50: Arm head

[0050] 51: Side face part

[0051] 52: Fixed body

[0052] 53: Reinforcing member

[0053] 54: Convex part

[0054] 55: Groove part

[0055] 57: Head-side hooking part

[0056] 58: Connecting recess

[0057] 58a: Opening

[0058] 59: Locking groove (head-side engaging portion, recess)

[0059] 59a: Rotation angle restricting wall portion

[0060] 59b: Insertion convex portion (guide projection)

[0061] 59c: Standing state maintaining wall portion

[0062] 60: Cover member

[0063] 70: Tension spring (spring)

[0064] 71: Coil portion

[0065] 72: First hook portion

[0066] 73: Second hook portion

[0067] 74: Straight portion

[0068] 75: Inclined portion

[0069] NT: Tightening nut

[0070] SH: Swing shaft

[0071] TP: Tapered surface

[0072] WS: Wiping surface Detailed implementation mode

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

[0074] Figure 1 A view showing the wiper device as viewed from the front side, Figure 2 A view showing the wiper device as viewed from the side, Figure 3 A view showing the wiper device as viewed from the back side, Figure 4 Showing along Figure 1 A sectional view taken along line A-A, Figure 5 A perspective view showing the arm handle and the wiper blade, Figure 6 A perspective view showing an enlarged view of the proximal end side of the arm handle, Figure 7 A perspective view showing the arm head as viewed from the front side, Figure 8 A perspective view showing the arm head as viewed from the back side, Figure 9 Showing Figure 7 An enlarged view of the dashed circle B portion, Figure 10 A sectional view showing the wiper device in the lock-back holding state, Figure 11 Showing along Figure 10 A sectional view taken along line C-C, Figure 12A diagram showing the relationship between the handle-side convex portion and the head-side concave portion when in the backlock holding state Figure 13 A diagram showing the state when the wiper device is in the rotation-restricted state and Figure 11 The corresponding diagram Figure 14 A diagram showing the state when the wiper device is in the rotation-restricted state and Figure 12 The corresponding diagram

[0075] [Overview of Wiper Device]

[0076] Figures 1 to 4 The wiper device 10 shown wipes the window glass (wiping surface WS) of the rear door of a vehicle such as an automobile. The wiper device 10 includes: a wiper blade 20 that wipes the wiping surface WS; and a wiper arm 30 on which the wiper blade 20 is mounted.

[0077] The proximal end side of the wiper arm 30 ( Figures 1 to 4 the right side of) is fixed to the front end side of the swing shaft SH of a rear wiper motor (not shown) housed inside the rear door by a fastening nut NT. Thus, the swing shaft SH swings by the drive of the rear wiper motor, and then the wiper arm 30 and the wiper blade 20 swing on the wiping surface WS.

[0078] The wiper blade 20 is mounted on the front end side of the wiper arm 30 ( Figures 1 to 4 the left side of). The wiper blade 20 includes: a connection member 21 that is rotatably mounted on the front end side of the wiper arm 30; and a blade rubber 22 held by the connection member 21.

[0079] Here, the blade rubber 22 is formed into a long strip by extrusion molding of natural rubber or the like, and is held on the connection member 21 via a pair of leaf springs (not shown) also called vertebrae. In addition, covers 23 that cover the back side of the pair of leaf springs and the blade rubber 22 are provided on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the connection member 21. Further, end caps 24 are mounted on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the pair of leaf springs and the blade rubber 22. Thereby, the blade rubber 22 can be prevented from coming off the pair of leaf springs.

[0080] The blade rubber 22 is pressed against the wiping surface WS by the spring force of a tension spring 70 provided inside the wiper arm 30 (refer to Figure 4 ). Then, the wiper blade 20 performs a reciprocating wiping action on a prescribed wiping range (not shown) on the wiping surface WS by the swinging motion of the wiper arm 30. Thereby, rainwater, dust, etc. adhering to the wiping surface WS are wiped off.

[0081] Here, as Figures 1 to 4 shown, the wiper arm 30 includes a handle 40, a head 50, a cover member 60, and a tension spring 70.

[0082] [Arm handle]

[0083] As Figures 4 to 6 shown, the arm handle 40 is formed into a generally rod-like shape with a thin front end by injection molding of a resin material such as plastic. The cross-section of the arm handle 40 along a direction orthogonal to its long side direction is formed into a generally U-shaped, and includes a pair of side wall portions 41. These side wall portions 41 are arranged to face each other on both sides in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 20 ( Figure 1 and Figure 3 in the vertical direction), that is, on both sides in the short side direction of the arm handle 40.

[0084] In addition, the arm handle 40 includes a single top wall portion 42. Specifically, the top wall portion 42 is provided on the opposite side of the wiping surface WS side of the pair of side wall portions 41 to connect the pair of side wall portions 41. That is, a pair of side wall portions 41 are integrally provided on both sides in the short side direction of the top wall portion 42.

[0085] On the inner side of the arm handle 40 surrounded by the pair of side wall portions 41 and the single top wall portion 42 and on the proximal end side of the arm handle 40 ( Figure 5 and Figure 6 on the right side), a connecting shaft 43 that is rotatably mounted on the arm head 50 is integrally provided. That is, the proximal end side of the arm handle 40 is rotatably mounted on the arm head 50. Specifically, the connecting shaft 43 extends along the short side direction of the arm handle 40, and both axial sides of the connecting shaft 43 are connected to the pair of side wall portions 41. In addition, the connecting shaft 43 is disposed at the position of a notch portion 44 provided on the proximal end side of the top wall portion 42.

[0086] Furthermore, as Figure 4 shown, the connecting shaft 43 is formed into a shape in which a notch is cut out from a part of the outer peripheral portion of a cylinder so that the cross-section in the long side direction of the arm handle 40 is substantially D-shaped. That is, the connecting shaft 43 has a flat portion 43a and has a so-called D-shaped cutting shape. Thereby, the connecting shaft 43 can be easily mounted in the connecting recess 58 of the arm head 50.

[0087] In addition, on the inner side of the arm handle 40 and on the front end side of the arm handle 40 ( Figure 4 and Figure 5 on the left side), a mounting shaft 45 for rotatably mounting the connecting member 21 of the wiper blade 20 is integrally provided. That is, the central portion in the long side direction of the wiper blade 20 is rotatably mounted on the front end side of the arm handle 40. Specifically, the mounting shaft 45 extends along the short side direction of the arm handle 40 in the same manner as the connecting shaft 43, and both axial sides of the mounting shaft 45 are connected to the pair of side wall portions 41.

[0088] Moreover, the mounting shaft 45 is formed into a generally cylindrical shape, as Figure 5As shown by the dashed arrow M, the connecting portion 21a of the connecting member 21 can be snap-fitted onto the mounting shaft 45 with a single key. In other words, the wiper blade 20 can be easily attached to and detached from the arm handle 40, and the maintainability is excellent.

[0089] Furthermore, a handle-side hook portion 46 for hooking the front end side ( Figure 4 the left side) of the tension spring 70 is integrally provided between the connecting shaft 43 and the mounting shaft 45 on the inner side of the arm handle 40 in the longitudinal direction of the arm handle 40. Specifically, the handle-side hook portion 46 is provided between a pair of side wall portions 41 and fixed at a total of three portions, namely, the side wall portions 41 and the single top wall portion 42. Thereby, sufficient strength of the handle-side hook portion 46 can be ensured.

[0090] Moreover, the handle-side hook portion 46 is arranged near the top wall portion 42 in the height direction ( Figure 4 the up-and-down direction) of the arm handle 40. That is, the handle-side hook portion 46 is arranged in a deep part inside the arm handle 40. Thereby, the front end side of the tension spring 70 is also arranged near the top wall portion 42.

[0091] In addition, the base end side ( Figure 4 the right side) of the tension spring 70 is hooked on the head-side hook portion 57 of the arm head 50 (refer to Figure 4 and Figure 8 ). Here, the head-side hook portion 57 is arranged closer to the wiping surface WS than the handle-side hook portion 46 in the height direction ( Figure 4 the up-and-down direction) of the arm handle 40. Thereby, as Figure 4 shown, the tension spring 70 can be hooked on the handle-side hook portion 46 and the head-side hook portion 57 while avoiding the connecting shaft 43 and the connecting recess 58.

[0092] Here, the tension spring 70 is provided between the arm head 50 and the arm handle 40, and generates a spring force for pressing the wiper blade 20 toward the wiping surface WS. As Figure 4 shown, the tension spring 70 includes: a coil portion 71; a first hook portion 72 for hooking on the head-side hook portion 57; and a second hook portion 73 for hooking on the handle-side hook portion 46. In addition, a straight portion 74 extending in the extending direction of the arm handle 40 and an inclined portion 75 inclined with respect to the straight portion 74 are provided between the coil portion 71 and the first hook portion 72.

[0093] Thus, by providing the straight portion 74 and the inclined portion 75 in the tension spring 70, as Figure 4 and Figure 10 shown, the tension spring 70 is substantially hidden inside the arm handle 40.

[0094] In addition, the tension spring 70 corresponds to the spring in the present invention.

[0095] In addition, as Figures 4 to 6 shown, on the inner side of the arm handle 40 and on the base end side (arm head 50 side) of the top wall portion 42, a spring housing recess 47 is provided.

[0096] The spring housing recess 47 extends in the longitudinal direction of the arm handle 40, and its length dimension is approximately half of the length dimension of the top wall portion 42. In addition, the spring housing recess 47 is recessed from the inner side of the arm handle 40 toward the outer side with a predetermined depth. Specifically, the thickness dimension of the portion of the top wall portion 42 where the spring housing recess 47 is provided is approximately half of the thickness dimension of the portion of the top wall portion 42 where the spring housing recess 47 is not provided.

[0097] Moreover, on the front end side of the spring housing recess 47 ( Figure 4 and Figure 5 the left side), a tapered portion 47a that gently slopes from the portion of the top wall portion 42 where the spring housing recess 47 is provided toward the portion of the top wall portion 42 where the spring housing recess 47 is not provided is provided. Thereby, stress concentration on the front end side of the spring housing recess 47 of the top wall portion 42 can be suppressed.

[0098] In addition, the handle-side hooking portion 46 is disposed in the region of the spring housing recess 47 in the longitudinal direction of the arm handle 40 and near the tapered portion 47a. That is, although the portion of the top wall portion 42 where the handle-side hooking portion 46 is provided is a thin wall, sufficient rigidity can be ensured. Therefore, the handle-side hooking portion 46 can be disposed closer to the top wall portion 42.

[0099] Thereby, as Figure 10 shown, when the arm handle 40 is erected relative to the arm head 50, a part of the coil portion 71 of the tension spring 70 is not in contact with the top wall portion 42 and is housed in the spring housing recess 47.

[0100] In addition, a reinforcing rib 48 is provided between the tapered portion 47a and the mounting shaft 45 in the longitudinal direction of the top wall portion 42 on the inner side of the arm handle 40. The reinforcing rib 48 protrudes toward the inner side of the arm handle 40 and has a substantially mesh shape. Specifically, the reinforcing rib 48 is fixed at a total of three locations on the pair of side wall portions 41 and the single top wall portion 42.

[0101] Thereby, sufficient rigidity of the portion of the arm handle 40 where the reinforcing rib 48 is provided can be ensured. Here, the handle-side hooking portion 46 is provided near the reinforcing rib 48. Therefore, strain of the portion of the arm handle 40 where the handle-side hooking portion 46 is provided, in other words, the portion where a load is relatively easily applied, is effectively suppressed.

[0102] Furthermore, as Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figures 11 to 14As shown, on the base end side (the side of the cutout portion 44) of a pair of side wall portions 41, a pair of inner surface portions 49 facing a pair of side surface portions 51 provided in the arm head 50 are provided. Specifically, the pair of inner surface portions 49 face the pair of side surface portions 51 on both sides in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 20 ( Figure 11 and Figure 13 in the left - right direction).

[0103] Locking claws 49a are integrally provided on the pair of inner surface portions 49 respectively. The pair of locking claws 49a project inward (toward the arm head 50 side) of the side wall portion 41 at a prescribed height, and are arranged facing each other in the direction in which the connecting shaft 43 extends ( Figure 11 and Figure 13 in the left - right direction). That is, the pair of locking claws 49a project toward both sides in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 20. In addition, the locking claws 49a extend along the long side direction of the side wall portion 41, and the cross - section in the direction orthogonal to the long side direction of the side wall portion 41 is substantially semi - circular.

[0104] In addition, the pair of locking claws 49a provided on the arm handle 40 are convex toward both sides in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 20, corresponding to the handle - side engaging portion and the convex portion in the present invention.

[0105] These locking claws 49a can respectively enter the inside of the locking grooves 59 provided in a pair of side surface portions 51 forming the arm head 50 (refer to Figure 9 ). Specifically, as Figures 11 to 14 shown, when the arm handle 40 is erected relative to the arm head 50, the locking claws 49a can engage with the locking grooves 59.

[0106] Here, by the mutual concave - convex engagement of the locking claws 49a and the locking grooves 59, the situation where the arm handle 40 rotates relative to the arm head 50 by β degrees or more (refer to Figure 14 ) is restricted, and the state where the arm handle 40 stands up relative to the arm head 50 at an α degree smaller than β degrees (refer to Figure 12 ) is maintained (β degrees > α degrees).

[0107] In addition, Figure 14 the β degrees shown corresponds to the first rotation angle in the present invention, Figure 12 and the α degrees shown corresponds to the second rotation angle in the present invention.

[0108] Here, the situation where the rotation angle of the arm handle 40 relative to the arm head 50 becomes α degrees and β degrees, that is, the rotation action of the arm handle 40 relative to the arm head 50, will be described in detail later.

[0109] Furthermore, when releasing the state in which the arm handle 40 stands upright relative to the arm head 50 at an angle of α degrees, that is, releasing the backlock holding state of the wiper device 10 and returning the wiper device 10 to the use state, it is only necessary to press the arm handle 40 toward the wiping surface WS with a prescribed force. Thereby, the locking claw 49a disengages from the locking groove 59, and the engaged state between the two is released.

[0110] [Arm head]

[0111] As Figures 7 to 9 shown, the arm head 50 is formed into a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape by injection molding a resin material such as plastic, and extends in the longitudinal direction of the wiper arm 30 (see Figure 3 ). The arm head 50 has a pair of side faces 51 that face both sides in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 20 ( Figure 1 and Figure 3 in the vertical direction).

[0112] In addition, a fixing body 52 is provided on the proximal end side of the arm head 50 ( Figure 7 and Figure 8 on the right side). As Figure 4 shown, the fixing body 52 is a portion fixed to the swing shaft SH by a fastening nut NT, and a ring-shaped reinforcing member 53 is inserted (embedded) in the fixing body 52.

[0113] Furthermore, the reinforcing member 53 is made of aluminum and has a function of strengthening the resin-made fixing body 52. Specifically, the swing shaft SH is inserted through the reinforcing member 53, and the tightening force of the fastening nut NT is applied to the reinforcing member 53. Thereby, the arm head 50 can be firmly fixed to the swing shaft SH driven to swing by the fastening nut NT in a non-shaking manner.

[0114] As Figure 7 and Figure 8 shown, a pair of convex portions 54 are provided on the proximal end side of the arm head 50. These convex portions 54 are respectively provided on the pair of side faces 51 forming the arm head 50. Specifically, the convex portions 54 project from the side faces 51 to both sides in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 20 at a prescribed height. Moreover, the cover member 60 is rotatably mounted on these convex portions 54. That is, the cover member 60 can be opened and closed relative to the arm head 50 with the pair of convex portions 54 as the rotation center.

[0115] Here, as Figure 4 shown, when the cover member 60 is in the closed state, the cover member 60 covers the fastening nut NT. Therefore, the aesthetic appearance of the wiper device 10 is improved. On the other hand, when the cover member 60 is in the open state, the fastening nut NT is exposed to the outside. Therefore, a fastening tool (not shown) can be used, and the fastening nut NT can be tightened or loosened.

[0116] In addition, asFigure 4 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown in Figure 8 , on the front end side (left side in the figure) of the arm head 50, a groove portion 55 is provided along the long side direction of the arm head 50. The groove portion 55 is disposed at the center in the short side direction of the arm head 50 (the center in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 20), and is disposed at a portion of the arm head 50 other than the fixed main body 52.

[0117] Moreover, as shown in Figure 4 , the base end side ( Figure 4 right side of Figure 11 ) of the tension spring 70 enters the groove portion 55. In addition, the tension spring 70 is in a state of not contacting the groove portion 55 (refer to Figure 13 ). Thereby, the tension spring 70 is prevented from protruding significantly more toward the wiping surface WS side than the arm head 50. Therefore, the overall height of the wiper device 10 is suppressed to be low.

[0118] A head-side hooking portion 57 formed in a substantially cylindrical shape is integrally provided inside the groove portion 55. Specifically, the head-side hooking portion 57 is disposed at the center in the long side direction of the arm head 50 and near the fixed main body 52. In addition, the head-side hooking portion 57 is disposed across the inside of the groove portion 55 in the short side direction (wiping direction of the wiper blade 20) of the arm head 50. Thereby, the base end side of the tension spring 70 can be hooked on the head-side hooking portion 57.

[0119] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7 , a connecting concave portion 58 that rotatably supports the connecting shaft 43 of the arm handle 40 is provided on the front end side of the arm head 50. Specifically, the connecting concave portion 58 is disposed on the side closer to the arm handle 40 (left side in the figure) than the head-side hooking portion 57 in the long side direction of the arm head 50.

[0120] In addition, on the side opposite to the wiping surface WS side of the connecting concave portion 58 ( Figure 4 and Figure 7 upper side), an opening portion 58a as a mounting side where the connecting shaft 43 is mounted is provided. Moreover, in a state where the wiper device 10 is assembled, the opening portion 58a is covered by the cover member 60. Thereby, the connecting shaft 43 can be prevented from detaching from the connecting concave portion 58. In addition, since the opening portion 58a is covered by the cover member 60, the surface of the wiper device 10 becomes smooth, and further the generation of wind noise can be suppressed.

[0121] In addition, as shown in Figures 7 to 9 and Figures 11 to 14 , locking grooves 59 are respectively provided on a pair of side surface portions 51 forming the arm head 50. Specifically, when the arm handle 40 is erected with respect to the arm head 50 (when in the back-locked state), a pair of locking claws 49a provided on the arm handle 40 (refer to Figure 6( ) can enter the inside of the locking groove 59 respectively.

[0122] The locking groove 59 is arranged between the fixed main body 52 and the connecting recess 58 in the longitudinal direction of the side surface portion 51 ( Figure 7 the left - right direction). Moreover, each locking groove 59 is recessed with a prescribed depth respectively toward the groove portion 55 provided at the center portion in the short - side direction of the arm head 50.

[0123] In addition, a pair of locking grooves 59 provided in the arm head 50 are concave on both sides in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 20, and correspond to the head - side engaging portion and the recess in the present invention.

[0124] In addition, as Figure 9 shown, the locking groove 59 includes a rotation - angle limiting wall portion 59a and a guiding convex portion 59b. Specifically, the rotation - angle limiting wall portion 59a and the guiding convex portion 59b are arranged to face each other in the height direction of the arm head 50 (the up - down direction in the figure). The rotation - angle limiting wall portion 59a is arranged on the wiping - surface WS side (the lower side in the figure) in the height direction of the arm head 50, and the guiding convex portion 59b is arranged on the side opposite to the wiping - surface WS side (the upper side in the figure) in the height direction of the arm head 50.

[0125] Moreover, when the rotation angle of the arm handle 40 relative to the arm head 50 is β degrees (refer to Figure 14 ), the locking claw 49a that enters the inside of the locking groove 59 abuts against the rotation - angle limiting wall portion 59a (refer to Figure 13 and Figure 14 ). That is, the locking claw 49a and the rotation - angle limiting wall portion 59a respectively have the function of restricting the situation where the arm handle 40 rotates relative to the arm head 50 by more than β degrees.

[0126] In addition, the guiding convex portion 59b includes a standing - state maintaining wall portion 59c and a tapered surface TP. The standing - state maintaining wall portion 59c and the tapered surface TP respectively extend along the extending direction of the guiding convex portion 59b. The standing - state maintaining wall portion 59c is arranged on the locking - groove 59 side (the lower side in the figure), and the tapered surface TP is arranged on the side opposite to the locking - groove 59 side, that is, the side where the locking claw 49a is guided (the upper side in the figure).

[0127] Moreover, when maintaining the state where the arm handle 40 is erected relative to the arm head 50 at α degrees (refer to Figure 12 ), the locking claw 49a that enters the inside of the locking groove 59 abuts against the standing - state maintaining wall portion 59c (refer to Figure 11 and Figure 12 ). That is, the locking claw 49a and the standing - state maintaining wall portion 59c respectively have the function of maintaining the state where the arm handle 40 is erected relative to the arm head 50 at α degrees, that is, setting the wiper device 10 to the back - lock holding state.

[0128] Here, the locking claw 49a provided on the arm handle 40 can enter the inside of the locking groove 59 by passing over the guiding projection 59b via the tapered surface TP. Thus, the arm handle 40 can be easily set in the back-locked holding state relative to the arm head 50.

[0129] In addition, the guiding projection 59b forming the locking groove 59 corresponds to the guiding projection in the present invention.

[0130] Here, when the wiper device 10 is in the back-locked holding state (refer to Figures 10 to 12 ), the spring force of the tension spring 70 acts in the direction of pressing the arm handle 40 toward the wiping surface WS. However, only by the spring force of the tension spring 70, the locking claw 49a does not disengage from the standing wall portion 59c and does not pass over the guiding projection 59b. That is, the locking groove 59 and the locking claw 49a can hold the arm handle 40 in the state of standing at an angle of α degrees relative to the arm head 50 against the spring force of the tension spring 70.

[0131] Therefore, as long as an operating force (external force) is not applied in a manner that causes the arm handle 40 to fall toward the wiping surface WS, the back-locked holding state of the wiper device 10 can be maintained. Thus, the replacement operation of the wiper blade 20 can be easily performed, and the maintainability is improved.

[0132] In addition, the back-locked angle of the wiper device 10, that is, the angle of the arm handle 40 relative to the narrow-angle side of the wiping surface WS (refer to Figure 2 and Figure 4 ) is about 20 degrees.

[0133] In addition, the locking claw 49a of the arm handle 40 passes over the guiding projection 59b while flexing the side wall portion 41. However, as Figure 6 shown, the locking claw 49a is arranged at the cutout portion 44 of the arm handle 40. Thus, the portion of the side wall portion 41 where the locking claw 49a is provided can be elastically deformed relatively easily. Therefore, the locking claw 49a can pass over the guiding projection 59b relatively easily.

[0134] [Regarding the back-locked holding state (α degrees) and the rotation angle limiting state (β degrees)]

[0135] As Figures 10 to 12 shown, when the arm handle 40 is held or the like and the arm handle 40 is made to stand relative to the arm head 50, the pair of locking claws 49a provided on the arm handle 40 enter the inside of the pair of locking grooves 59 provided on the arm head 50. At this time, since the locking claw 49a passes over the tapered surface TP of the guiding projection 59b, it can be relatively easily arranged inside the locking groove 59.

[0136] In this state, when the hand leaves the arm handle 40, the arm handle 40 tends to fall relative to the arm head 50 due to the spring force of the tension spring 70. However, asFigure 11 As shown by arrow M1, the locking claw 49a that enters the inside of the locking groove 59 abuts against the erected state holding wall portion 59c and becomes in an engaged state. Therefore, Figure 12 in the direction shown by arrow R1, the arm handle 40 becomes in a rotation restricted state with respect to the arm head 50. Therefore, it becomes a backlock holding state.

[0137] At this time, as Figure 10 shown, the tension spring 70 approaches the top wall portion 42 (spring housing recess 47). Moreover, a part (the upper part in the figure) of the coil portion 71 of the tension spring 70 is housed in the spring housing recess 47.

[0138] In addition, the coil portion 71 is in a non-contact state with respect to the top wall portion 42, and no damage is caused to the top wall portion 42 and the coil portion 71. Further, in the backlock holding state of the wiper device 10, as Figure 10 shown, when observing the arm handle 40 in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 20, the entire tension spring 70 is completely hidden by the pair of side wall portions 41.

[0139] Furthermore, the backlock angle of the wiper device 10, that is, the angle (α degrees) of the arm handle 40 with respect to the narrow angle side of the wiping surface WS, becomes about 20 degrees. The reason is that when the wiper device 10 is hidden by a rear spoiler (not shown) provided on the vehicle side, the arm handle 40 is prevented from contacting the rear spoiler (to prevent damage). Moreover, the wiper blade 20 can be easily attached to and detached from the arm handle 40 by a snap fitting structure. Therefore, even if the backlock angle (α degrees) is about 20 degrees, the maintainability of the wiper device 10 is not reduced.

[0140] In contrast, in the state where the arm handle 40 is laid down with respect to the arm head 50, that is, when returning the wiper device 10 to the use state, an operating force is applied to the arm handle 40 to make the arm handle 40 fall down with respect to the arm head 50. As a result, the engaged state between the locking claw 49a and the erected state holding wall portion 59c is released, and the locking claw 49a passes over the guide convex portion 59b and disengages from the locking groove 59. As a result, the wiper device 10 becomes Figure 4 the use state shown.

[0141] In addition, depending on the vehicle model equipped with the wiper device 10, the curvature of the wiping surface WS may sometimes be large. In this case, as Figure 4 shown by the dotted arrow R, the wiper blade 20 swings greatly with respect to the arm handle 40 about the mounting shaft 45. At this time, as Figure 4 shown by the enlarged portion surrounded by the dotted line, the proximal end side ( Figure 4 the right side in the figure) of the wiper blade 20 enters the inside of the arm handle 40. In other words, the wiper device 10 can also cope with a large curvature of the wiping surface WS.

[0142] Further, for example, when a vehicle is being washed using a car wash device, a relatively large force is applied to the arm handle 40, causing the arm handle 40 to stand up relative to the arm head 50 by more than the backlock holding state (α degrees). In this case, as shown by the arrow M2 in Figure 13 , the locking claw 49a that enters the inside of the locking groove 59 abuts against the rotation angle restricting wall portion 59a to enter a engaged state. Thereby, for Figure 14 , in the direction shown by the arrow R2, the rotation of the arm handle 40 relative to the arm head 50 by more than the above-described amount is restricted, and the rotation angle of the arm handle 40 relative to the arm head 50 is restricted to β degrees (about 22 degrees). Thereby, contact between the arm handle 40 and vehicle-side parts such as a rear spoiler can be prevented in advance.

[0143] As described in detail above, the wiper device 10 according to the present embodiment includes: a locking groove 59 provided in the arm head 50 and recessed on both sides in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 20; and a locking claw 49a provided in the arm handle 40 and protruding on both sides in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 20. By the mutual concave-convex engagement of the locking groove 59 and the locking claw 49a, the rotation of the arm handle 40 relative to the arm head 50 by β degrees (about 22 degrees) or more is restricted, and the state in which the arm handle 40 stands up relative to the arm head 50 at an α degree (about 20 degrees) smaller than β degrees is maintained.

[0144] Thereby, the rotation angle of the arm handle 40 relative to the arm head 50 can be restricted without increasing the number of parts. Therefore, for example, when a vehicle is being washed using a car wash device, even if a relatively large force is applied to the arm handle 40, the arm handle 40 can be prevented from standing up relative to the arm head 50 by more than β degrees. Therefore, damage to the wiper device 10 or the vehicle side can be prevented in advance.

[0145] In addition, the state in which the arm handle 40 stands up relative to the arm head 50 at an α degree close to β degrees (backlock state) can be maintained without increasing the number of parts. Therefore, by setting it to the backlock holding state, the wiper blade 20 can be attached to and detached from the arm handle 40, and thus the wiper device 10 can be easily maintained.

[0146] Furthermore, in the wiper device 10 according to the present embodiment, the locking groove 59 is a concave portion, the locking claw 49a is a convex portion, the locking claw 49a can enter the inside of the locking groove 59, and the locking groove 59 includes: a rotation angle restricting wall portion 59a that abuts against the locking claw 49a when the rotation angle of the arm handle 40 relative to the arm head 50 is β degrees; and a standing state maintaining wall portion 59c that abuts against the locking claw 49a when maintaining the state in which the arm handle 40 stands up relative to the arm head 50 at an α degree.

[0147] Accordingly, the locking groove 59 and the locking claw 49a can have a rotation angle limiting function and a back lock holding function without increasing the number of parts.

[0148] In addition, in the wiper device 10 according to the present embodiment, the locking claw 49a can enter the inside of the locking groove 59 by passing over the guiding convex portion 59b having the tapered surface TP.

[0149] Accordingly, the arm handle 40 can be easily set to the back lock state with respect to the arm head 50, and the maintainability can be improved.

[0150] Furthermore, in the wiper device 10 according to the present embodiment, a tension spring 70 that presses the wiper blade 20 against the wiping surface WS is provided between the arm head 50 and the arm handle 40, and the locking groove 59 and the locking claw 49a oppose the spring force of the tension spring 70 to hold the state in which the arm handle 40 stands up with respect to the arm head 50 at an angle α.

[0151] Accordingly, as long as an operating force (external force) is not applied to the arm handle 40, the locking claw 49a does not pass over the guiding convex portion 59b, and the engaged state between the locking claw 49a and the locking groove 59 is maintained. Accordingly, the wiper device 10 can be set to the back lock holding state, and the maintainability can be improved.

[0152] In addition, in the wiper device 10 according to the present embodiment, the durability can be improved without increasing the number of parts, and furthermore, reduction of manufacturing energy can be achieved. Accordingly, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the United Nations, particularly Goal 7 (Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all) and Goal 13 (Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts), can be achieved.

[0153] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist thereof. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the locking groove 59 (recess) is provided in the arm head 50 and the locking claw 49a (projection) is provided in the arm handle 40, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and a locking claw (projection) may be provided in the arm head 50 and a locking groove (recess) may be provided in the arm handle 40.

[0154] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the group including the locking groove 59 and the locking claw 49a is provided on both sides in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 20, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the group including the locking groove 59 and the locking claw 49a may be provided on only one side in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 20 or on the other side in the wiping direction (only one side).

[0155] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the wiper device 10, which wipes the window glass (rear glass) of the rear door of a vehicle such as an automobile, has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, it can also be applied to a wiper device that wipes the front glass of a vehicle such as an automobile or the glass of an airplane, a railway vehicle, a construction machine, or the like.

[0156] In addition, the material, shape, size, number, installation location, etc. of each structural component in the above-described embodiment can be arbitrary as long as the object of the present invention can be achieved, and are not limited to the above-described embodiment.

Claims

1. A windshield wiper device, comprising: A wiper arm head fixed to a swing shaft; A wiper arm handle, the proximal end side of which is rotatably mounted on the wiper arm head; And A windshield wiper blade mounted on the front end side of the wiper arm handle for wiping a wiping surface, The windshield wiper device having: A head-side engaging portion provided on the wiper arm head and being concave or convex toward at least one side in the wiping direction of the windshield wiper blade; and A handle-side engaging portion provided on the wiper arm handle and being convex or concave toward the other side in the wiping direction of the windshield wiper blade, When the head-side engaging portion and the handle-side engaging portion are engaged with each other in a concave-convex manner, the rotation of the wiper arm handle relative to the wiper arm head by more than a first rotation angle is restricted, and the state in which the wiper arm handle stands up relative to the wiper arm head at a second rotation angle smaller than the first rotation angle is maintained.

2. The windshield wiper device according to claim 1, wherein The head-side engaging portion is a concave portion, The handle-side engaging portion is a convex portion, The convex portion can enter the inside of the concave portion, The concave portion includes: A rotation angle restricting wall portion that abuts against the convex portion when the rotation angle of the wiper arm handle relative to the wiper arm head is the first rotation angle; and An upright state maintaining wall portion that abuts against the convex portion when maintaining the state in which the wiper arm handle stands up relative to the wiper arm head at the second rotation angle.

3. The windshield wiper device according to claim 2, wherein The convex portion can enter the inside of the concave portion by passing over a guiding protrusion having a tapered surface.

4. The windshield wiper device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein A spring for pressing the windshield wiper blade against the wiping surface is provided between the wiper arm head and the wiper arm handle, The head-side engaging portion and the handle-side engaging portion counteract the spring force of the spring to maintain the state in which the wiper arm handle stands up relative to the wiper arm head at the second rotation angle.

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