Wiper blade and clamp

Abstract

The wiper blade is provided with a clip (40) and a wiper blade main body (60). The clip (40) is fixed to the wiper arm (20). The wiper arm (20) is provided with: an upper plate section (21); side plate parts (22) extending downward from both sides of the upper plate part in the width direction; a claw section (23) extending inward in the width direction from the lower end of the side plate section; and a through hole (24) provided in the upper plate portion. The wiper blade main body has a wiper blade rubber strip and a connecting part, and the connecting part is fixed to the wiper blade rubber strip and is rotatably connected with the clamping piece. The clip has an upper wall (41), a side wall (42), a fitting protrusion (43), a flexible side wall (44), and an engagement section (45). The side walls extend downward from both sides in the width direction of the upper wall. The fitting protrusion protrudes upward from the upper wall, is fitted into the through hole, and does not elastically deform in the vertical direction. The flexible side wall is provided on at least a portion of the side wall and is elastically deformable in the width direction. The clamping part is arranged on the flexible side wall and can be clamped with the upper surface of the claw part.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wiper blade and a clip. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a wiper blade, there is provided a clip fixed to a wiper arm and a wiper blade main body rotatably connected to the clip. The wiper arm disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a through-hole provided in an upper plate portion. Further, a fitting projection that protrudes upward and fits into the through-hole is provided on an upper wall of the clip. The fitting projection can be elastically deformed in the vertical direction. The clip can be attached to and detached from the wiper arm by pressing down the fitting projection. Prior Art Documents Patent Documents

[0003] Patent Document 1: WO 2006 / 013152 Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the wiper blade as described above, since the fitting projection of the clip can be elastically deformed in the vertical direction, there is a possibility that the wiper blade may accidentally come off from the wiper arm. For example, due to a collision with a foreign object during driving or washing the vehicle using a car wash, even if an external force such as pressing down is applied only to the fitting projection, the fitting projection may come off from the through-hole. Further, for example, in a state where the fitting projection is not completely inserted into the through-hole, when the wiper is driven, the clip is displaced in the longitudinal direction with respect to the wiper arm, and thus the wiper blade may come off.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a wiper blade and a clip that can suppress accidental detachment from a wiper arm. Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A wiper blade according to one aspect of the present invention includes a clip and a wiper blade main body. The clip is fixed to a wiper arm, and the wiper arm has: an upper plate portion; side plate portions extending downward from both sides in the width direction of the upper plate portion; claw portions extending inward in the width direction from lower ends of the side plate portions; and a through-hole provided in the upper plate portion. The wiper blade main body has a wiper rubber strip and a connecting portion. The connecting portion is fixed to the wiper rubber strip and is rotatably connected to the clip. The clip has: an upper wall; side walls extending downward from both sides in the width direction of the upper wall; a fitting projection that protrudes upward from the upper wall and fits into the through-hole and cannot be elastically deformed in the vertical direction; a flexible side wall provided on at least a part of the side wall and elastically deformable in the width direction; and an engaging portion provided on the flexible side wall and engageable with an upper surface of the claw portion.

[0007] According to this structure, by inserting the fitting protrusion protruding upward from the upper wall into the through-hole of the wiper arm, it is possible to prevent the clamping member from shifting in the longitudinal direction with respect to the wiper arm. Further, by engaging the upper surface of the claw portion of the wiper arm with the engaging portion provided on the flexible side wall, it is possible to prevent the clamping member from shifting in the vertical direction with respect to the wiper arm. In addition, since the flexible side wall can be elastically deformed in the width direction, by elastically deforming the flexible side wall, the engaging portion of the flexible side wall and the upper surface of the claw portion can be brought into a non-engaged state. Therefore, by elastically deforming the flexible side wall, the clamping member can be attached to and detached from the wiper arm in the vertical direction.

[0008] In addition, since the fitting protrusion cannot be elastically deformed in the vertical direction, for example, even if an external force is applied to press down only on the fitting protrusion, the fitting protrusion will not fall out of the through-hole. Further, for example, even if the flexible side wall is elastically deformed, when the wiper arm is in a non-locked state and the wiper blade rubber strip is pressed against the wiping surface, the clamping member is also difficult to shift in the vertical direction with respect to the wiper arm, so the fitting protrusion is difficult to fall out of the through-hole. That is, in the locked state of the wiper arm, the fitting protrusion falls out of the through-hole only when the engaging portion and the upper surface of the claw portion are brought into a non-engaged state by the elastic deformation of the flexible side wall. Therefore, accidental detachment of the wiper blade from the wiper arm can be suppressed.

[0009] The clamping member according to one aspect of the present invention is fixed to the wiper arm and is rotatably connected to the connecting portion of the wiper blade body. The wiper arm has: an upper plate portion; side plate portions extending downward from both sides in the width direction of the upper plate portion; claw portions extending inward in the width direction from the lower ends of the side plate portions; and through-holes provided in the upper plate portion. The clamping member has: an upper wall; side walls extending downward from both sides in the width direction of the upper wall; fitting protrusions protruding upward from the upper wall and inserted into the through-holes, which cannot be elastically deformed in the vertical direction; flexible side walls provided on at least a part of the side walls, which can be elastically deformed in the width direction; and engaging portions provided on the flexible side walls, which can engage with the upper surfaces of the claw portions.

[0010] According to this structure, similar to the above-described wiper blade, accidental detachment of the clamping member with respect to the wiper arm can be suppressed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of a vehicle wiper in one embodiment. Figure 2 is a partial exploded perspective view of a wiper arm and a clamping member in one embodiment. Figure 3 is a partial exploded side view of a wiper blade in one embodiment. Figure 4 is along Figure 3 sectional view taken along line 4-4 in Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along Figure 1 the 5-5 line in Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view along Figure 3 the 6-6 line in Figure 7 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of the flexible side wall and the side plate portion in one embodiment. Figure 8 is a partial side view of the wiper blade in one embodiment. Figure 9 is a partial side view of the wiper blade in one embodiment. Figure 10 is a partial exploded perspective view of the wiper arm and the clip in one embodiment. Figure 11 is a partial exploded side view of the wiper blade in one embodiment. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view along Figure 11 the 12-12 line in Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view along Figure 11 the 13-13 line in Figure 14 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of the flexible side wall and the side plate portion in one embodiment. Figure 15 is a partial perspective view of the clip in one embodiment. Figure 16 is a partial perspective view of the clip in one embodiment. Figure 17 is a partial perspective view of the clip in one embodiment. Detailed Embodiment

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the wiper blade will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, in the drawings, for convenience of explanation, sometimes a part of the structure is enlarged or simplified and shown. Also, regarding the dimensional ratios of the respective parts, sometimes they are different from the actual ones.

[0013] (Structure of the vehicle wiper 10) As Figure 1As shown, the vehicle wiper 10 includes a wiper arm 20 and a wiper blade 30 connected to the tip of the wiper arm 20. The vehicle wiper 10 is used to wipe raindrops and the like on the wiping surface such as the windshield of the vehicle. The base end of the wiper arm 20 is fixed to a pivot (not shown) that reciprocally rotates by the driving force of a wiper motor. Thus, the vehicle wiper 10 reciprocally swings along with the reciprocal rotation of the pivot. In addition, the wiper arm 20 has a locking mechanism and a biasing mechanism (not shown). In the unlocked state, the tip of the wiper arm 20 is biased by the biasing mechanism toward the wiping surface. In addition, in the present embodiment, the direction approaching the wiping surface from the vehicle wiper 10 in the unlocked state is defined as downward, and the direction away from the wiping surface is defined as upward for description. In addition, in the present embodiment, the direction along the long side direction of the vehicle wiper 10 is simply described as the long side direction, and the direction orthogonal to the vertical direction and orthogonal to the long side direction is simply described as the width direction.

[0014] (Structure of the wiper arm 20) As Figures 1 to 4 shown, the wiper arm 20 has an upper plate portion 21 at the tip and side plate portions 22 extending downward from both sides in the width direction of the upper plate portion 21. In addition, as Figure 2 and Figure 6 shown, the wiper arm 20 has a claw portion 23 extending inward in the width direction from the lower end of the side plate portion 22 and a through hole 24 provided in the upper plate portion 21. In addition, as Figure 4 shown, the claw portion 23 of the wiper arm 20 has a tip-side claw portion 23a provided on the tip side in the long side direction and a rear-side claw portion 23b provided on the rear end side in the long side direction. The tip-side claw portion 23a protrudes more inward in the width direction than the rear-side claw portion 23b. In addition, when viewed from the through direction, the through hole 24 is formed in a square shape.

[0015] (Structure of the wiper blade 30) As Figure 1 shown, the wiper blade 30 includes a clip 40 fixed to the tip of the wiper arm 20 and a wiper blade body 60 rotatably connected to the clip 40.

[0016] The wiper blade body 60 has: a strip-shaped wiper rubber strip 61 that contacts the wiping surface; and a connecting portion 62 that is provided at the center in the longitudinal direction of the wiper rubber strip 61 and is rotatably connected to the clamping member 40. In addition, the center in the longitudinal direction of the above-mentioned wiper rubber strip 61 is not limited to the center position in the longitudinal direction of the wiper rubber strip 61. The connecting portion 62 can be fixed to any position in the longitudinal direction of the wiper rubber strip 61. In addition, any type can be used for the portion of the wiper blade body 60 other than the wiper rubber strip 61 and the connecting portion 62. For example, the wiper blade body 60 can also be of a type having a multi-link type structure (Tournament type rod) formed by combining a plurality of rods. In addition, for example, the wiper blade body 60 can also be of a type having a leaf spring-shaped backing along the upper surface of the wiper rubber strip 61 and a housing that holds them. In addition, for example, the wiper blade body 60 can also be of a type having a fin that converts the traveling wind into a force toward the wiping surface near one side in the width direction of the above-mentioned housing.

[0017] As Figure 2 shown, the clamping member 40 has: an upper wall 41; side walls 42 that extend downward from both sides in the width direction of the upper wall 41; and a fitting projection 43 that projects upward from the upper wall 41 and is inserted into the through hole 24 and cannot be elastically deformed in the vertical direction. In addition, the clamping member 40 has: a flexible side wall 44 that is provided on a part of the side wall 42 and can be elastically deformed in the width direction; and a engaging portion 45 that is provided on the flexible side wall 44 and can engage with the upper surface of the claw portion 23. The clamping member 40 is a resin molded product.

[0018] As Figure 2 and Figure 5 shown, the fitting projection 43 has a flexible piece 43a that presses against and contacts the inner wall surface of the through hole 24 in the longitudinal direction of the wiper arm 20. The flexible piece 43a is provided on a part of the fitting projection 43. The flexible piece 43a first extends downward from the upper wall 41, then bends and projects upward from the upper wall 41 to form a part of the fitting projection 43, and can be flexed in the longitudinal direction of the wiper arm 20. And the flexible piece 43a is set to always press against and contact the inner wall surface of the through hole 24 in the state where the fitting projection 43 is inserted into the through hole 24.

[0019] The flexible side wall 44 is provided at the rear end portion in the longitudinal direction of the side wall 42. The flexible side wall 44 has an inclined portion 46 that is inclined so that the width becomes wider toward the lower side from the upper wall 41. In addition, the flexible side wall 44 has a flexible side wall base portion 47 that extends straight downward from the lower end of the inclined portion 46. The engaging portion 45 is formed by the lower surface at the center in the longitudinal direction of the flexible side wall base portion 47. The upper surface of the rear end side claw portion 23b of the claw portion 23 can engage with the engaging portion 45.

[0020] In addition, asFigure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the flexible side wall 44 has an operating portion 48 that protrudes downwardly than the side plate portion 22 when fixed to the wiper arm 20. The operating portion 48 is arranged with a gap S in the central portion of the long side direction of the lower surface of the flexible side wall base 47, and is connected to the two end portions of the long side direction of the lower surface of the flexible side wall base 47. That is, the operating portion 48 has: a first extension portion 48a extending downward from the base end of the long side direction of the flexible side wall base 47; a second extension portion 48b extending downward from the top end of the long side direction of the flexible side wall base 47; and a connecting portion 48c connecting the first extension portion 48a and the second extension portion 48b. In addition, the first extension portion 48a and the connecting portion 48c protrude outward in the width direction than the flexible side wall base 47. The flexible side wall 44 can be elastically deformed inward in the width direction, for example, by an operator pinching a pair of operating portions 48 with fingers (see Figure 6 and Figure 13 double-dotted line).

[0021] like Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , the flexible side wall 44 is configured to be in press contact with the side plate portion 22 when fixed to the wiper arm 20. Figure 2 As shown, the flexible side wall base 47 has a central protrusion 47a that slightly protrudes outward in the width direction at the central portion in the longitudinal direction and end protrusions 47b that slightly protrude outward in the width direction at both ends in the longitudinal direction.

[0022] And, if Figure 7 As shown, the flexible side wall 44 is designed to partially press-contact the side plate portion 22 at three locations in the longitudinal direction of the central protrusion 47 a and the two end protrusions 47 b when fixed to the wiper arm 20 .

[0023] In addition, if Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , a shaft support portion 49 is provided in the middle portion of the side wall 42 in the longitudinal direction. The shaft support portion 49 is arranged on the inner side of the flexible side wall base 47 in the width direction. Figure 4 As shown, the front end side claw part 23a of the claw part 23 is comprised so that it may not contact with the shaft support part 49. The shaft support part 49 has the shaft support groove 49a which extends upward from the lower end.

[0024] And, if Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the connection portion 62 of the wiper blade body 60 is rotatably connected to the shaft support portion 49. Specifically, the connection portion 62 has a shaft 62a that is fitted into the shaft support groove 49a of the shaft support portion 49 and serves as a rotation center.

[0025] In addition, the connecting portion 62 has a deformation prevention portion 62b. When the rotation angle of the connecting portion 62 with respect to the clamping member 40 is within the wiping rotation angle in the non-lock-back state of the wiper arm 20, the deformation prevention portion 62b prevents the elastic deformation of the flexible side wall 44. That is, in the non-lock-back state of the wiper arm 20 and the state where the wiper blade strip 61 is in contact with the wiping surface, the deformation prevention portion 62b enters between the two flexible side walls 44, thereby preventing the elastic deformation of the flexible side wall 44 toward the inner side in the width direction (refer to Figure 8 ). Thus, in the non-lock-back state of the wiper arm 20, it is possible to prevent the clamping member 40 from falling off the wiper arm 20.

[0026] In addition, as Figure 9 shown, when the rotation angle of the deformation prevention portion 62b with respect to the clamping member 40 is outside the above-mentioned wiping rotation angle range, that is, in the non-wiping rotation angle, the elastic deformation of the flexible side wall 44 is allowed. That is, in the lock-back state of the wiper arm 20 and the state where the wiper blade main body 60 is inclined relatively largely with respect to the wiper arm 20, the deformation prevention portion 62b allows the elastic deformation of the flexible side wall 44 toward the inner side in the width direction by falling off between the two flexible side walls 44. Thus, in the lock-back state of the wiper arm 20, the clamping member 40 can be attached to and detached from the wiper arm 20.

[0027] The connecting portion 62 is formed in a shape that is symmetric on both sides in the long side direction of the wiper blade main body 60 with respect to the rotation center of the clamping member 40, that is, the shaft 62a. That is, the connecting portion 62 has deformation prevention portions 62b on both sides in the long side direction of the wiper blade main body 60 with the shaft 62a as the center. Thus, the clamping member 40 can be connected in any orientation in the long side direction of the wiper blade main body 60.

[0028] In addition, as Figure 10 shown, the clamping member 40 of the present embodiment can also be fixed to a wiper arm 70 having a width larger than that of the above-mentioned wiper arm 20. That is, the clamping member 40 can be deformed into a first state corresponding to the above-mentioned wiper arm 20 and a second state corresponding to a wiper arm 70 having a width larger than that of the wiper arm 20.

[0029] (Structure of the wiper arm 70) As Figures 10 to 13 shown, the wiper arm 70 has an upper plate portion 71 at the tip portion and side plate portions 72 extending downward from both sides in the width direction of the upper plate portion 71. The width of the upper plate portion 71 is formed larger than that of the upper plate portion 21 of the wiper arm 20. In addition, as Figure 10 and Figure 13 shown, the wiper arm 70 has a claw portion 73 extending inward in the width direction from the lower end of the side plate portion 72 and a through hole 74 provided in the upper plate portion 71. In addition, as Figure 12As shown, the claw portion 73 of the wiper arm 70 has a tip projecting portion 73a that projects significantly inward in the width direction only on one side in the width direction from the tip side in the long side direction. In addition, the through-hole 74 is formed in the same shape as the through-hole 24 of the wiper arm 20.

[0030] (Structure of the adjustment plate 50 of the flexible side wall 44) The flexible side wall 44 has an adjustment plate 50. The adjustment plate 50 is disposed outside the width direction of the flexible side wall base portion 47 in the second state, thereby constituting the outer wall surface in the width direction of the flexible side wall 44. In addition, in the first state, the flexible side wall 44 is constituted by the flexible side wall base portion 47 as the outer wall surface in the width direction of the flexible side wall 44.

[0031] Specifically, as Figure 2 shown, the clamping member 40 has a receiving portion 51 that receives the adjustment plate 50 in the first state. The receiving portion 51 is provided at the central portion in the long side direction of the inclined portion 46. The receiving portion 51 can receive the adjustment plate 50 by being provided so as to penetrate the inclined portion 46.

[0032] The adjustment plate 50 is provided at the lower end of the receiving portion 51 and the upper end of the flexible side wall base portion 47 via a thin-walled hinge portion 52. The adjustment plate 50 is formed in a rectangular plate shape, and the portion corresponding to its long side is connected to the hinge portion 52. And the adjustment plate 50 is formed into a second state (refer to Figure 10 ) disposed outside the width direction of the flexible side wall base portion 47 by rotating about the hinge portion 52 from the first state.

[0033] As Figure 13 shown, in the clamping member 40 in the second state, a engaging portion 53 with which the upper surface of the claw portion 73 of the wiper arm 70 can engage is constituted by the lower surface of the adjustment plate 50. In addition, as Figure 12 shown, by disposing the shaft support portion 49 inside the width direction of the flexible side wall base portion 47, the tip projecting portion 73a of the claw portion 73 is disposed so as not to contact the shaft support portion 49.

[0034] As Figure 10 shown, the adjustment plate 50 is formed shorter in the long side direction than the flexible side wall base portion 47, and has adjustment plate projecting portions 50a that project outward in the width direction at both ends in the long side direction. In addition, the end projecting portion 47b of the flexible side wall base portion 47 is disposed at a position that does not overlap with the adjustment plate 50 in the second state.

[0035] And, as Figure 14 shown, the flexible side wall 44 in the second state is set to be in partial pressing contact with the side plate portion 72 at three places in the long side direction of the central portion 50b of the adjustment plate 50 that is deflected outward in the width direction through the central projecting portion 47a and the two adjustment plate projecting portions 50a in the long side direction.

[0036] In addition, as Figure 15 and Figure 16 shown, the clamping member 40 has a first holding portion 54 that holds the position of the adjustment plate 50 in the first state. The first holding portion 54 protrudes from the upper wall 41.

[0037] In addition, as Figure 15 and Figure 17 shown, the clamping member 40 has a second holding portion 55 that holds the position of the adjustment plate 50 in the second state. The second holding portion 55 protrudes from the recess formed in the engaging portion 45.

[0038] The adjustment plate 50 has a held portion 50c on the side opposite to the side where the hinge portion 52 is provided. The held portion 50c protrudes in a U shape toward the outside in the width direction in the first state. And, the first holding portion 54 holds the position of the adjustment plate 50 by being inserted into the held portion 50c of the adjustment plate 50 in the first state. In addition, the second holding portion 55 holds the position of the adjustment plate 50 by being inserted into the held portion 50c of the adjustment plate 50 in the second state.

[0039] Next, the operation of the wiper blade 30 configured as described above will be described. In the locked state of the wiper arms 20, 70, for example, by an operator clamping a pair of operation portions 48 with fingers to elastically deform the flexible side wall 44 inward in the width direction, the clamping member 40 can be attached to and detached from the wiper arms 20, 70. By holding the adjustment plate 50 in the first holding portion 54, the clamping member 40 can be fixed to the wiper arm 20 with a smaller width. In addition, by holding the adjustment plate 50 in the second holding portion 55, the clamping member 40 can be fixed to the wiper arm 70 with a larger width.

[0040] Next, the effects of the above-described embodiment will be described below. (1) By inserting the fitting protrusion 43 protruding upward from the upper wall 41 into the through holes 24, 74 of the wiper arms 20, 70, the clamping member 40 can be prevented from shifting in the longitudinal direction with respect to the wiper arms 20, 70. In addition, by the upper surfaces of the claw portions 23, 73 of the wiper arms 20, 70 engaging with the engaging portions 45, 53 provided on the flexible side wall 44, the clamping member 40 can be prevented from shifting in the vertical direction with respect to the wiper arms 20, 70. In addition, since the flexible side wall 44 can be elastically deformed in the width direction, by elastically deforming the flexible side wall 44, the engaging portions 45, 53 of the flexible side wall 44 and the upper surfaces of the claw portions 23, 73 can be brought into a non-engaged state. Therefore, by elastically deforming the flexible side wall 44, the clamping member 40 can be attached to and detached from the wiper arms 20, 70 in the vertical direction.

[0041] In addition, since the fitting protrusion 43 cannot elastically deform in the vertical direction, for example, if only an external pressing force is applied to the fitting protrusion 43, the fitting protrusion 43 will not fall off from the through holes 24 and 74. Additionally, for example, even if the flexible side wall 44 elastically deforms, when the wiper arms 20 and 70 are in the unlocked state and the wiper blade strip 61 is pressed against the wiping surface, it is difficult for the clamping member 40 to shift in the vertical direction relative to the wiper arms 20 and 70. Therefore, it is difficult for the fitting protrusion 43 to fall off from the through holes 24 and 74. That is, in the locked state of the wiper arms 20 and 70, the fitting protrusion 43 falls off from the through holes 24 and 74 only when the engaging portions 45 and 53 and the upper surfaces of the claw portions 23 and 73 are in a non-engaged state due to the elastic deformation of the flexible side wall 44. Therefore, accidental detachment of the wiper blade 30 from the wiper arms 20 and 70 can be suppressed.

[0042] (2) The flexible side wall 44 has an operation portion 48 that protrudes downward more than the side plate portions 22 and 72 when fixed to the wiper arms 20 and 70. Therefore, even without using a jig or the like, an operator can easily elastically deform the flexible side wall 44 by clamping the operation portion 48 with a finger. Therefore, the clamping member 40 can be easily attached to and detached from the wiper arms 20 and 70.

[0043] (3) The flexible side wall 44 has an inclined portion 46 that is inclined so that the width becomes wider toward the lower side. Therefore, for example, by simply relatively moving the clamping member 40 and the wiper arm 20 in the vertical direction during assembly, the flexible side wall 44 can be elastically deformed by the wiper arm 20. Therefore, the clamping member 40 can be easily assembled to the wiper arm 20.

[0044] (4) The connecting portion 62 has a deformation preventing portion 62b. If the rotation angle of the connecting portion 62 relative to the clamping member 40 is within the wiping rotation angle in the unlocked state of the wiper arms 20 and 70, the deformation preventing portion 62b prevents the elastic deformation of the flexible side wall 44. Therefore, in the unlocked state, the engaging portions 45 and 53 do not become non-engaged with the upper surfaces of the claw portions 23 and 73, so the clamping member 40 does not fall off from the wiper arms 20 and 70.

[0045] In addition, if the rotation angle of the connecting portion 62 relative to the clamping member 40 is outside the range of the wiping rotation angle, that is, the non-wiping rotation angle, the deformation preventing portion 62b allows the elastic deformation of the flexible side wall 44. Therefore, in the locked state of the wiper arms 20 and 70, the clamping member 40 can be attached to and detached from the wiper arms 20 and 70 by elastically deforming the flexible side wall 44.

[0046] (5) The fitting projection 43 has a flexible piece 43a which is in pressing contact with the inner wall surfaces of the through holes 24 and 74 in the longitudinal direction of the wiper arms 20 and 70. Therefore, for example, the wobbling of the clip 40 in the longitudinal direction of the wiper arms 20 and 70 can be suppressed.

[0047] (6) The flexible side wall 44 is set to be in pressing contact with the side plate portions 22 and 72. Therefore, for example, the wobbling of the clip 40 in the width direction of the wiper arms 20 and 70 can be suppressed. In the present embodiment, the flexible side wall 44 is set to be in pressing contact with the side plate portions 22 and 72 in the first state and the second state respectively. Therefore, in each state, for example, the wobbling of the clip 40 in the width direction of the wiper arms 20 and 70 can be suppressed.

[0048] (7) The connecting portion 62 is formed in a shape symmetric with respect to the rotation center of the clip 40 on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade main body 60. Therefore, the clip 40 can be connected in any direction in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade main body 60. Therefore, for example, in the case where a wing for converting the traveling wind into a force toward the wiping surface is provided near one side in the width direction of the wiper blade main body 60, etc., it is possible to cope even if the mounting direction of the wiper blade main body 60 is determined with respect to the vehicle. That is, it can correspond to a vehicle with a right steering wheel or a left steering wheel.

[0049] (8) The flexible side wall 44 has a flexible side wall base portion 47 and an adjustment plate 50. The flexible side wall base portion 47 constitutes the outer wall surface in the width direction of the flexible side wall 44 in the first state, and the adjustment plate 50 constitutes the outer wall surface in the width direction of the flexible side wall 44 by being disposed outside the flexible side wall base portion 47 in the width direction in the second state. Therefore, the clip 40 can be fixed to two wiper arms 20 and 70 having different widths.

[0050] (9) The clip 40 has a receiving portion 51 for receiving the adjustment plate 50 in the first state. Therefore, for example, when fixed to the wiper arm 20 in the first state, it is not necessary to cut off the adjustment plate 50. Thus, for example, it is possible to reuse the clip 40 after fixing it to the wiper arm 20 with a smaller width and then fixing it again to the wiper arm 70 with a larger width.

[0051] (10) The clip 40 has a first holding portion 54 for holding the position of the adjustment plate 50 in the first state. Therefore, for example, it is possible to avoid poor assemblability caused by the position of the adjustment plate 50 not being determined in the first state.

[0052] (11) The clip 40 has a second holding portion 55 for holding the position of the adjustment plate 50 in the second state. Therefore, for example, it is possible to avoid poor assemblability caused by the position of the adjustment plate 50 not being determined in the second state.

[0053] (12) In the first state, the central protrusion 47a and the two end protrusions 47b are in press contact with the side plate 22, so that the flexible side wall 44 is partially in press contact with the side plate 22 at three locations in the long side direction. In addition, in the second state, the central portion 50b in the long side direction of the adjustment plate 50 that is bent outward in the width direction by the central protrusion 47a and the two adjustment plate protrusions 50a are in press contact with the side plate 72.

[0054] Therefore, the flexible side wall 44 is partially pressed and contacted with the side plate portion 72 at three locations in the longitudinal direction in each state. Therefore, in each state, for example, the loosening of the clip 40 in the width direction with respect to the wiper arm 20, 70 can be well suppressed.

[0055] This embodiment can be implemented by modifying as follows. This embodiment and the following modifications can be implemented in combination with each other within the scope of no technical contradiction. In the above embodiment, the flexible side wall 44 has the operating portion 48 protruding below the side plate portion 22, 72 when fixed to the wiper arm 20, 70, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, the operating portion 48 may not be provided. In addition, in such a case, the operator may also use a jig or the like to elastically deform the flexible side wall 44. In addition, the shape of the operating portion 48 in the above embodiment may also be changed to another shape.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the flexible side wall 44 has the inclined portion 46 that is inclined so as to become wider as it goes downward, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, the inclined portion 46 may not be provided.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the connecting portion 62 includes the deformation preventing portion 62 b that prevents elastic deformation of the flexible side wall 44 , but the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, the connecting portion 62 may not include the deformation preventing portion 62 b .

[0058] In the above embodiment, the fitting protrusion 43 has the flexible piece 43 a that is pressed against the inner wall surface of the through hole 24 , 74 in the longitudinal direction of the wiper arm 20 , 70 , but the present invention is not limited thereto and the flexible piece 43 a may not be provided.

[0059] Furthermore, even if the engaging protrusion does not have the flexible piece 43a, since the engaging protrusion is a structure that cannot be elastically deformed in the vertical direction, the gap between the engaging protrusion and the inner wall surface of the through hole 24, 74 can be set to be small. Therefore, the shaking of the clamping member 40 relative to the long side direction of the wiper arm 20, 70 can be reduced.

[0060] ·In the above-described embodiment, the flexible side walls 44 are set to be in pressing contact with the side plate portions 22 and 72, but are not limited thereto. For example, the widths between the outer wall surfaces in the width direction of the pair of flexible side walls 44 may be set to be the same as the widths between the inner wall surfaces in the width direction of the pair of side plate portions 22 and 72. Additionally, for example, the widths between the outer wall surfaces in the width direction of the pair of flexible side walls 44 may also be set to be slightly smaller than the widths between the inner wall surfaces in the width direction of the pair of side plate portions 22 and 72.

[0061] ·In the above-described embodiment, the connecting portion 62 is formed in a shape that is symmetric with respect to the rotation center of the clamping member 40 on both sides in the long side direction of the wiper blade main body 60, but is not limited thereto. For example, the connecting portion 62 may also be configured to have only one of the deformation prevention portions 62b.

[0062] ·In the above-described embodiment, the flexible side wall 44 has a flexible side wall base portion 47 and an adjustment plate 50, and is configured to be deformable into a first state and a second state, but is not limited thereto. For example, the adjustment plate 50 may not be provided. That is, it may also be a clamping member 40 that can only be fixed to one type of wiper arm 20.

[0063] ·In the above-described embodiment, the clamping member 40 has a receiving portion 51 for receiving the adjustment plate 50 in the first state, but is not limited thereto. For example, the receiving portion 51 may not be provided. Further, in the case where the receiving portion 51 is not provided, for example, when fixed to the wiper arm 20, the adjustment plate 50 may also be cut off.

[0064] ·In the above-described embodiment, the clamping member 40 has a first holding portion 54 for holding the position of the adjustment plate 50 in the first state, but is not limited thereto, and the first holding portion 54 may not be provided.

[0065] ·In the above-described embodiment, the clamping member 40 has a second holding portion 55 for holding the position of the adjustment plate 50 in the second state, but is not limited thereto, and the second holding portion 55 may not be provided.

[0066] ·In the above-described embodiment, in the first state, the central protruding portion 47a and the two end protruding portions 47b are set to be in pressing contact with the side plate portion 22, but are not limited thereto. For example, the flexible side wall 44 may also be set to be in local pressing contact with the side plate portion 22 at two or more locations. Additionally, the flexible side wall 44 may also be set to be in pressing contact with the side plate portion 22 on one surface.

[0067] · In the above-described embodiment, in the second state, the central portion 50b in the longitudinal direction of the adjustment plate 50 that is bent outward in the direction by the central protrusion 47a and the two adjustment plate protrusions 50a are set to be in pressing contact with the side plate portion 72, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the flexible side wall 44 may also be set to be in local pressing contact with the side plate portion 72 at two or more locations. In addition, the flexible side wall 44 may also be set to be in pressing contact with the side plate portion 72 on one surface.

[0068] · In the above-described embodiment, the flexible side wall 44 is provided at the rear end portion in the longitudinal direction of the side wall 42 of the holder 40, but it is not limited thereto. For example, it may also be provided at the top end portion or the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the side wall 42 of the holder 40.

[0069] · In the above-described embodiment, a pair of flexible side walls 44 are configured to be provided in the width direction of the holder 40, but it is not limited thereto. For example, only one side in the width direction of the holder 40 may be a flexible side wall that can be elastically deformed in the width direction.

[0070] · In the above-described embodiment, the shaft support portion 49 has a shaft support groove 49a, and the connecting portion 62 has a shaft 62a that is inserted into the shaft support groove 49a, but it is not limited thereto. For example, it may also be configured such that the shaft support portion 49 has a shaft and the connecting portion 62 has a shaft support groove.

[0071] The features of the present invention are as follows. [1] A wiper blade (30) includes a holder (40) and a wiper blade main body (60). The holder (40) is fixed to a wiper arm (20, 70), and the wiper arm (20, 70) has: an upper plate portion (21, 71); side plate portions (22, 72) that extend downward from both sides in the width direction of the upper plate portion; claw portions (23, 73) that extend inward in the width direction from the lower ends of the side plate portions; and through holes (24, 74) provided in the upper plate portion. The wiper blade main body (60) has a wiper rubber strip (61) and a connecting portion (62). The connecting portion (62) is fixed to the wiper rubber strip and is rotatably connected to the holder. The holder has: an upper wall (41); side walls (42) that extend downward from both sides in the width direction of the upper wall; fitting protrusions (43) that protrude upward from the upper wall and are inserted into the through holes and cannot be elastically deformed in the vertical direction; flexible side walls (44) provided on at least a part of the side walls and capable of being elastically deformed in the width direction; and engaging portions (45, 53) provided on the flexible side walls, and the upper surfaces of the claw portions can be engaged with the engaging portions (45, 53).

[0072] [2] In the wiper blade according to [1], the flexible side wall has an operating portion (48) that protrudes downward more than the side plate portion. [3]In the wiper blade according to [1] or [2], the flexible side wall has an inclined portion (46) that is inclined such that the width becomes wider toward the lower side.

[0073] [4]In the wiper blade according to any one of [1] to [3], the connecting portion has a deformation prevention portion (62b). When the rotation angle of the connecting portion with respect to the clamping member is within the wiping rotation angle in the non-locking state of the wiper arm, the deformation prevention portion (62b) prevents elastic deformation of the flexible side wall. When the rotation angle of the connecting portion with respect to the clamping member is within a non-wiping rotation angle outside the range of the wiping rotation angle, the deformation prevention portion (62b) allows elastic deformation of the flexible side wall.

[0074] [5]In the wiper blade according to any one of [1] to [4], the fitting projection has a flexible piece (43a) that presses against and contacts the inner wall surface of the through hole in the longitudinal direction of the wiper arm.

[0075] [6]In the wiper blade according to any one of [1] to [5], the flexible side wall is set to press against and contact the side plate portion. [7]In the wiper blade according to any one of [1] to [6], the connecting portion is formed in a shape that is symmetric about the rotation center with respect to the clamping member on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade body.

[0076] [8]In the wiper blade according to any one of [1] to [7], the flexible side wall has: a flexible side wall base portion (47) that constitutes the outer wall surface in the width direction of the flexible side wall in the first state; and an adjustment plate (50) that constitutes the outer wall surface in the width direction of the flexible side wall by being disposed outside the width direction of the flexible side wall base portion in the second state.

[0077] [9]In the wiper blade according to [8], the clamping member has a receiving portion (51) that receives the adjustment plate in the first state.

[10] In the wiper blade according to [9], the clamping member has a first holding portion (54) that holds the position of the adjustment plate in the first state.

[0078]

[11] In the wiper blade according to any one of [8] to

[10] , the clamping member has a second holding portion (55) that holds the position of the adjustment plate in the second state.

[12] In the wiper blade according to any one of [8] to

[11] , the flexible side wall is set to press against and contact the side plate portion in the first state and the second state, respectively.

[0079]

[13] In the wiper blade described in

[12] , the length of the adjustment plate in the longitudinal direction is formed shorter than that of the base portion of the flexible side wall, and adjustment plate protrusions (50a) protruding outward in the width direction are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction. The base portion of the flexible side wall has a central protrusion (47a) protruding outward in the width direction at a position corresponding to the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the adjustment plate, and end protrusions (47b) protruding outward in the width direction at both ends in the longitudinal direction that do not overlap with the adjustment plate. In the first state, the central protrusion and the two end protrusions are set to press and contact the side plate portion (22). In the second state, the central portion (50b) in the longitudinal direction of the adjustment plate that is pressed by the central protrusion and deflected outward in the width direction and the two adjustment plate protrusions are set to press and contact the side plate portion (72).

[0080]

[14] A clamping member is fixed to the wiper arm and is rotatably connected to the connecting portion of the wiper blade body. The wiper arm has: an upper plate portion; side plate portions extending downward from both sides in the width direction of the upper plate portion; claw portions extending inward in the width direction from the lower ends of the side plate portions; and through holes provided in the upper plate portion. The clamping member has: an upper wall; side walls extending downward from both sides in the width direction of the upper wall; fitting protrusions protruding upward from the upper wall and fitting into the through holes, which cannot elastically deform in the vertical direction; flexible side walls provided on at least a part of the side walls, which can elastically deform in the width direction; and engaging portions provided on the flexible side walls, and the upper surface of the claw portion can engage with the engaging portions. Description of Reference Numerals

[0081] 20, 70: Wiper arm; 21, 71: Upper plate portion; 22, 72: Side plate portion; 23, 73: Claw portion; 24, 74: Through hole; 30: Wiper blade; 40: Clamping member; 41: Upper wall; 42: Side wall; 43: Fitting protrusion; 43a: Flexible piece; 44: Flexible side wall; 45, 53: Engaging portion; 46: Inclined portion; 47: Base portion of flexible side wall; 47a: Central protrusion; 47b: End protrusion; 48: Operating portion; 50: Adjustment plate; 50a: Adjustment plate protrusion; 50b: Central portion; 51: Accommodating portion; 54: First holding portion; 55: Second holding portion; 60: Wiper blade body; 61: Wiper blade rubber strip; 62: Connecting portion; 62b: Deformation prevention portion.

Claims

1. A wiper blade (30), wherein, it includes a clamping member (40) and a wiper blade body (60), the clamping member (40) is fixed to a wiper arm (20, 70), and the wiper arm (20, 70) has: an upper plate portion (21, 71); side plate portions (22, 72) extending downward from both sides in the width direction of the upper plate portion; claw portions (23, 73) extending inward in the width direction from the lower ends of the side plate portions; and through holes (24, 74) provided in the upper plate portion, the wiper blade body (60) has a wiper rubber strip (61) and a connecting portion (62), the connecting portion (62) is fixed to the wiper rubber strip and is rotatably connected to the clamping member, the clamping member has: an upper wall (41); side walls (42) extending downward from both sides in the width direction of the upper wall; fitting protrusions (43) protruding upward from the upper wall and fitting into the through holes, which cannot elastically deform in the vertical direction; flexible side walls (44) provided on at least a part of the side walls, which can elastically deform in the width direction; and engaging portions (45, 53) provided on the flexible side walls, which can engage with the upper surfaces of the claw portions.

2. The wiper blade according to claim 1, wherein, the flexible side wall has an operating portion (48) protruding downward more than the side plate portion.

3. The wiper blade according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, the flexible side wall has an inclined portion (46) inclined such that the width becomes wider toward the lower side.

4. The wiper blade according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, the connecting portion has a deformation preventing portion (62b), if the rotation angle of the connecting portion relative to the clamping member is within the wiping rotation angle in the non-locking state of the wiper arm, the deformation preventing portion (62b) prevents the elastic deformation of the flexible side wall, if the rotation angle of the connecting portion relative to the clamping member is outside the range of the wiping rotation angle, that is, the non-wiping rotation angle, the deformation preventing portion (62b) allows the elastic deformation of the flexible side wall.

5. The wiper blade according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, the fitting protrusion has a flexible piece (43a) pressing against the inner wall surface of the through hole in the longitudinal direction of the wiper arm.

6. The wiper blade according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, the flexible side wall is set to press against the side plate portion.

7. The wiper blade according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, the connecting portion is formed in a shape symmetric about the rotation center of rotation relative to the clamping member on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade body.

8. The wiper blade according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The flexible side wall has: a flexible side wall base portion (47) that constitutes the outer wall surface in the width direction of the flexible side wall in the first state; and an adjustment plate (50) that constitutes the outer wall surface in the width direction of the flexible side wall by being disposed outside the flexible side wall base portion in the width direction in the second state.

9. The wiper blade according to claim 8, wherein, the clamping member has a receiving portion (51) that receives the adjustment plate in the first state.

10. The wiper blade according to claim 9, wherein, the clamping member has a first holding portion (54) that holds the position of the adjustment plate in the first state.

11. The wiper blade according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein, the clamping member has a second holding portion (55) that holds the position of the adjustment plate in the second state.

12. The wiper blade according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein, the flexible side wall is set to be in press contact with the side plate portion in the first state and the second state, respectively.

13. The wiper blade according to claim 12, wherein, the adjustment plate is formed to have a shorter length in the longitudinal direction than the flexible side wall base portion, and has adjustment plate protruding portions (50a) that protrude outward in the width direction at both ends in the longitudinal direction, the flexible side wall base portion has a central protruding portion (47a) that protrudes outward in the width direction at a position corresponding to the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the adjustment plate, and end protruding portions (47b) that protrude outward in the width direction at both ends in the longitudinal direction that do not overlap with the adjustment plate, in the first state, the central protruding portion and the two end protruding portions are set to be in press contact with the side plate portion (22), in the second state, the central portion (50b) in the longitudinal direction of the adjustment plate that is deflected outward in the width direction by being pressed by the central protruding portion and the two adjustment plate protruding portions are set to be in press contact with the side plate portion (72).

14. A clamping member, wherein, the clamping member is fixed to a wiper arm and is rotatably connected to a connecting portion of a wiper blade main body, and the wiper arm has: an upper plate portion; side plate portions that extend downward from both sides in the width direction of the upper plate portion; claw portions that extend inward in the width direction from the lower ends of the side plate portions; and a through hole provided in the upper plate portion, the clamping member has: an upper wall; side walls that extend downward from both sides in the width direction of the upper wall; a fitting protrusion that protrudes upward from the upper wall and is fitted into the through hole and cannot be elastically deformed in the vertical direction; a flexible side wall provided on at least a part of the side wall and elastically deformable in the width direction; and an engaging portion provided on the flexible side wall and capable of engaging with the upper surface of the claw portion.

Images