Wiper device

Abstract

To prevent a wiper rubber from being fastened to a window while utilizing a drive motor of a wiper arm.SOLUTION: A wiper device comprises a wiper arm 11A which is capable of displacing so as to make a wiper rubber 11C abut on or separate from a window, a link mechanism 12 which oscillates the wiper arm, a drive motor 13 which provides the link mechanism with rotational force, a rotation body 14 which includes two fulcrum parts 14A, 14B which are provided so as to be rotatable by the drive motor and from which distances from the center of rotation (rotational axis 13A) are different from each other and a communication part 14c which makes the fulcrum parts communicate with each other, a movement member 15 which is connected to the link mechanism and is provided so as to be movable along the communication part and then is disposed at one of the fulcrum parts according to normal rotation of the rotation body as well as disposed at the other of the fulcrum parts according to reverse rotation of the rotation body and a variable part which separates the wiper rubber from the window by displacing the wiper arm which oscillates by the link mechanism accompanied with movement of the movement member from one fulcrum part to the other fulcrum part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wiper device.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a wiper arm lifting device for preventing a wiper rubber from adhering to glass. This wiper arm lifting device has a push rod that moves forward and backward by the forward and reverse rotation of a DC motor attached to a wiper blade.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the wiper arm lifting device as shown in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to further provide a DC motor independent of the drive motor that swings the wiper arm.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a wiper device that can prevent a wiper rubber from adhering to a window while using a drive motor of a wiper arm.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above object, a wiper device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a wiper arm displaceable to contact or separate a wiper rubber from a window, a link mechanism for swinging the wiper arm, a drive motor for applying a rotational force to the link mechanism, a rotating body rotatably provided by the drive motor, having two fulcrum portions with different distances from the center of the rotation, and a communication portion communicating the respective fulcrum portions, a moving member connected to the link mechanism, movably provided along the communication portion, disposed at one of the fulcrum portions in response to the normal rotation of the rotating body, and disposed at the other fulcrum portion in response to the reverse rotation of the rotating body, and a variable portion for displacing the wiper arm swung by the link mechanism to separate the wiper rubber from the window as the moving member moves from one of the fulcrum portions to the other fulcrum portion.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the wiper rubber from sticking to the window while using the drive motor of the wiper arm.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited by the following embodiments. Also, the constituent elements in the following embodiments include those that can be easily assumed by those skilled in the art, substantially identical ones, and those within the so-called equivalent range. Furthermore, the constituent elements disclosed in the following embodiments can be combined as appropriate.

[0010] The wiper device according to the embodiment can be installed, for example, outside a vehicle on the front or rear window.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the wiper device according to the embodiment includes a wiper body 11, a link mechanism 12, a drive motor 13, a rotating body 14, a moving member 15, and a variable part 16.

[0012] The wiper body 11 includes a wiper arm 11A, a wiper blade 11B, and a wiper rubber 11C.

[0013] The wiper arm 11A forms the base of the wiper body 11. The wiper arm 11A has a base portion 11Aa that is connected to the link mechanism 12 and forms part of the link mechanism 12, and a support portion 11Ab that supports the wiper rubber 11C. The support portion 11Ab is connected to the base portion 11Aa via a shaft 11Ac and is provided so as to be able to swing around the shaft 11Ac. The swing of the support portion 11Ab is configured to move between a position where the wiper rubber 11C it supports contacts the surface 21A (see FIG. 5) of the window 21 and a position where the wiper rubber 11C is separated from the surface 21A of the window 21. Further, the support portion 11Ab is attached to the base portion 11Aa so as to press the wiper rubber 11C against the surface 21A of the window 21 by a biasing member (not shown) such as a spring at the position where the wiper rubber 11C contacts the surface 21A of the window 21.

[0014] The wiper blade 11B is attached to the tip of the swing of the support portion 11Ab in the wiper arm 11A, and the wiper rubber 11C is mounted thereon. The wiper blade 11B has, for example, a pantograph structure that causes the wiper rubber 11C to follow the surface 21A of the window 21 when the support portion 11Ab swings so as to press the wiper rubber 11C against the surface 21A of the window 21.

[0015] The link mechanism 12 swings the wiper arm 11A so that the wiper rubber 11C can move along the surface 21A of the window 21. The link mechanism 12 may have various structures as long as it is configured to swing the wiper arm 11A. In the embodiment, an example thereof is shown in FIGS. 2 to 4. The link mechanism 12 of the embodiment includes a drive link 12A, a movable link 12B, a fixed link 12C, a driven link 12D, and shaft portions 12Aa, 12Ab, 12Ba, 12Ca.

[0016] The drive link 12A is provided so as to be movable around the rotary shaft 13A along with the rotation of the rotary shaft 13A of the drive motor 13. A rotating body 14 to which the rotational force of the drive motor 13 is applied is attached to the rotary shaft 13A of the drive motor 13. One side of the drive link 12A in a rod shape is rotatably attached to the rotating body 14 via a shaft portion 12Aa. Thereby, the drive link 12A can move around the rotary shaft 13A along with the rotational movement of the rotating body 14 centered on the rotary shaft 13A.

[0017] The movable link 12B is rotatably attached to the other side of the drive link 12A in a rod shape via a shaft portion 12Ab so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the movable link 12B.

[0018] The fixed link 12C is a stationary link and is fixed to, for example, a wiper device or a stationary part (not shown) of a vehicle.

[0019] One side of the driven link 12D in a rod shape is rotatably attached to the movable link 12B via a shaft portion 12Ba so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the movable link 12B. Also, the other side of the driven link 12D in a rod shape is rotatably attached to the fixed link 12C via a shaft portion 12Ca. Therefore, the driven link 12D connects the movable link 12B and the fixed link 12C via the shaft portions 12Ba and 12Ca. This driven link 12D is constituted by the wiper arm 11A.

[0020] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, when the rotating body 14 rotates along with the rotation of the rotary shaft 13A of the drive motor 13 in the link mechanism 12, the drive link 12A moves around the rotary shaft 13A. When the drive link 12A moves around the rotary shaft 13A, the movable link 12B connected to the fixed link 12C via the driven link 12D reciprocates. When the movable link 12B reciprocates, the wiper arm 11A, which is the driven link 12D, swings around the shaft portion 12Ca connected to the fixed link 12C. Thereby, in the wiper device, the wiper rubber 11C moves along the surface 21A of the window 21.

[0021] In the wiper device of the embodiment, it has two wiper bodies 11, and is configured to swing both wiper bodies 11 together. Specifically, in the wiper device of the embodiment, two driven links 12D (wiper arms 11A) are provided on the link mechanism 12. Although not shown in the figure, a single driven link 12D (wiper arm 11A) may be provided on the link mechanism 12, or two or more driven links 12D (wiper arms 11A) may be provided.

[0022] The rotating body 14 has two fulcrum portions 14A, 14B and a communicating portion 14C that communicates the respective fulcrum portions 14A, 14B.

[0023] Each of the fulcrum portions 14A, 14B is provided as a hole that penetrates the plate of the disk-shaped rotating body 14, or a groove formed in the plate, or a protrusion formed in the plate. One fulcrum portion 14A and the other fulcrum portion 14B are at different distances from the rotation axis 13A of the drive motor 13, which is the center of rotation of the rotating body 14. One fulcrum portion 14A is close to the rotation axis 13A, and the other fulcrum portion 14B is far from the rotation axis 13A. Therefore, one fulcrum portion 14A rotates and moves along a first locus S of a circle that is close to the rotation axis 13A as the rotating body 14 rotates. Also, the other fulcrum portion 14B rotates and moves along a second locus L of a circle that is far from the rotation axis 13A as the rotating body 14 rotates.

[0024] Also, each of the fulcrum portions 14A, 14B is arranged around the rotation axis 13A of the drive motor 13, which is the center of rotation of the rotating body 14, with a predetermined angle θ. This angle θ may be within 360 degrees or may exceed 360 degrees in the wiper device of the embodiment.

[0025] The communicating portion 14C is provided as a hole that penetrates the plate of the disk-shaped rotating body 14, or a groove formed in the plate, or a protrusion formed in the plate, in accordance with each of the fulcrum portions 14A, 14B. The communicating portion 14C is formed in an arc shape in accordance with the angle θ of each of the fulcrum portions 14A, 14B so as to communicate the respective fulcrum portions 14A, 14B.

[0026] The moving member 15 is disposed at each fulcrum portion 14A, 14B and is movable along the communication portion 14C between the respective fulcrum portions 14A, 14B. When each of the fulcrum portions 14A, 14B and the communication portion 14C is a hole, the moving member 15 is provided so as to be inserted into the hole. When each of the fulcrum portions 14A, 14B and the communication portion 14C is a groove, the moving member 15 is provided so as to fit into the groove. When each of the fulcrum portions 14A, 14B and the communication portion 14C is a protrusion, the moving member 15 is provided so as to fit onto the protrusion. The moving member 15 is provided with a shaft portion 12Aa on one side of the drive link 12A in the link mechanism 12. The moving member 15 may be constituted by the shaft portion 12Aa on one side of the drive link 12A. Accordingly, the moving member 15 is disposed at each fulcrum portion 14A, 14B together with the shaft portion 12Aa on one side of the drive link 12A and is movable along the communication portion 14C between the respective fulcrum portions 14A, 14B.

[0027] Here, referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the operations of the wiper body 11, the link mechanism 12, the drive motor 13, the rotating body 14, and the moving member 15 in the wiper device of the embodiment will be described.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, in the wiper device of the embodiment, the drive motor 13 rotates the rotating body 14 in the normal rotation direction R1 around the rotation shaft 13A. As the rotating body 14 rotates in the normal rotation direction R1, the moving member 15 is disposed at one fulcrum portion 14A and rotates and moves in the normal rotation direction R1 together with the rotating body 14. Then, the shaft portion 12Aa on one side of the drive link 12A also rotates and moves in the normal rotation direction R1. When the shaft portion 12Aa on one side of the drive link 12A makes one rotation around the rotation shaft 13A, the wiper main body 11 reciprocates and swings from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the position shown in FIG. 3 via the link mechanism 12. In the wiper device of the embodiment, when the wiper main body 11 is in the position shown in FIG. 2, the wiper main body 11 (wiper arm 11A) is in an open position and is in an extended position where it has advanced to the vehicle window 21. Further, in the wiper device of the embodiment, when the wiper main body 11 is in the position shown in FIG. 3, the wiper main body 11 (wiper arm 11A) is in a closed position and is in a standby position where it is normally stopped without using the wiper main body 11. In the wiper device of the embodiment, the operation in which the moving member 15 is disposed at one fulcrum portion 14A and rotates and moves in the normal rotation direction R1 together with the rotating body 14 is referred to as a normal operation. Further, in the standby position of the normal operation, the link mechanism 12 is in a state where the drive link 12A connected to the rotating body 14 and the movable link 12B connected to the drive link 12A are extended to the longest together.

[0029] Note that in the wiper device of the embodiment, the standby position of the above-described normal operation can be detected by a rotation angle detection sensor (not shown) that detects the rotation angle of the rotation shaft 13A when the rotation shaft 13A of the drive motor 13 rotates forward. And the wiper device of the embodiment can perform a normal operation by rotating the rotation shaft 13A of the drive motor 13 in the normal rotation direction R1 based on the rotation angle of the rotation shaft 13A in the standby position.

[0030] Also, in the standby position shown in FIG. 3, the wiper device according to the embodiment rotates the rotating body 14 in the reverse rotation direction R2 around the rotation shaft 13A by the drive motor 13 as shown in FIG. 4. As the rotating body 14 is rotated in the reverse rotation direction R2, the moving member 15 is disposed at the other fulcrum portion 14B through the communication portion 14C from one fulcrum portion 14A. As described above, the other fulcrum portion 14B is located farther from the rotation shaft 13A than the one fulcrum portion 14A. Therefore, the link mechanism 12 in the standby position of the normal operation shown in FIG. 3 moves to a position farther from the rotation shaft 13A as shown in FIG. 4 with the drive link 12A and the movable link 12B extended together. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the wiper device according to the embodiment moves the wiper main body 11 away from the advance position in the direction opposite to the normal operation via the link mechanism 12 from the standby position shown in FIG. 3. The position shown in FIG. 4 where the wiper main body 11 (wiper arm 11A) moves away from the advance position in the standby position is referred to as the retracted position. In the wiper device according to the embodiment, the operation in which the rotating body 14 rotates and moves in the reverse rotation direction R2 and the moving member 15 is disposed at the other fulcrum portion 14B from one fulcrum portion 14A in the standby position to become the retracted position is referred to as the retraction operation.

[0031] Also, in the wiper device of the embodiment, in the retracted position shown in FIG. 4, as shown in FIG. 3, the rotating body 14 is rotated in the forward rotation direction R1 around the rotation shaft 13A by the drive motor 13. As the rotating body 14 is rotated in the forward rotation direction R1, the moving member 15 is arranged to return from the other fulcrum portion 14B through the communication portion 14C to the one fulcrum portion 14A. As described above, the one fulcrum portion 14A is located closer to the rotation shaft 13A than the other fulcrum portion 14B. Therefore, the link mechanism 12 in the retracted position shown in FIG. 4 moves to a position close to the rotation shaft 13A in a state where the drive link 12A and the movable link 12B are extended together as shown in FIG. 3. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the wiper device of the embodiment moves the wiper body 11 back from the retracted position in FIG. 4 to the standby position via the link mechanism 12. And in the wiper device of the embodiment, such an operation in which the rotating body 14 rotates and moves in the forward rotation direction R1, the moving member 15 is arranged from the other fulcrum portion 14B to the one fulcrum portion 14A and returns to the standby position is called a standby operation. Note that in the wiper device of the embodiment, it is also possible to continuously perform the normal operation from the standby operation by rotating the rotating body 14 in the forward rotation direction R1.

[0032] Note that in the wiper device of the embodiment, in the retraction operation, the angles θ of the respective fulcrum portions 14A and 14B are set in advance, and the rotation shaft 13A of the drive motor 13 is rotated in the reverse rotation direction R2 by an angle θ with reference to the standby position by the above-described rotation angle detection sensor (not shown) to limit the rotation angle and thereby the retracted position can be set. Also, in the wiper device of the embodiment, in the standby operation, the angles θ of the respective fulcrum portions 14A and 14B are set in advance, and the rotation shaft 13A of the drive motor 13 is rotated in the forward rotation direction R1 by an angle θ with reference to the retracted position by the above-described rotation angle detection sensor (not shown) to limit the rotation angle and thereby the standby position can be set.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the variable part 16 is configured as a protrusion and is fixed at a position where the support part 11Ab of the wiper arm 11A of the wiper body 11 abuts when the wiper arm 11A moves from the standby position (see FIG. 5) to the retracted position (see FIG. 6). The variable part 16 is fixed to, for example, the vehicle side. When the support part 11Ab of the wiper arm 11A moving from the standby position to the retracted position abuts and rides on the upper surface 16B of the protrusion, the variable part 16 swings and displaces the support part 11Ab with respect to the base part 11Aa. That is, by swinging the support part 11Ab, the variable part 16 brings the wiper rubber 11C supported by the support part 11Ab of the wiper arm 11A into contact with the surface 21A of the window 21 at the standby position before contact as shown in FIG. 5, and separates the wiper rubber 11C from the surface 21A of the window 21 at the retracted position after contact as shown in FIG. 6.

[0034] The variable part 16 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 has an inclined surface 16A so as to separate the support part 11Ab moving from the standby position to the retracted position from the window 21 together with the wiper rubber 11C. The inclined surface 16A is inclined so as to move away from the window 21 toward the retracted position while the support part 11Ab of the wiper arm 11A moves from the standby position to the retracted position. In other words, the inclined surface 16A is inclined so as to approach the window 21 toward the standby position while the support part 11Ab of the wiper arm 11A returns from the retracted position to the standby position. Therefore, the variable part 16 has the inclined surface 16A so as to bring the support part 11Ab returning from the retracted position to the standby position closer to the window 21 together with the wiper rubber 11C. Thus, the inclined surface 16A of the variable part 16 abuts on the support part 11Ab of the wiper arm 11A and displaces the position of the support part 11Ab (wiper rubber 11C).

[0035] FIGS. 7 and 8 are detailed operation diagrams of another example of the wiper device according to the embodiment.

[0036] The variable part 16 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is formed such that the inclined surface 16A has a gentle inclined surface 16Aa and a steep inclined surface 16Ab with different inclinations. The gentle inclined surface 16Aa is disposed at the initial contact position where the support portion 11Ab of the wiper arm 11A moving from the standby position to the retracted position contacts the inclined surface 16A. The steep inclined surface 16Ab is disposed at the later contact position where the support portion 11Ab of the wiper arm 11A moving from the standby position to the retracted position contacts the inclined surface 16A. It is desirable that the gentle inclined surface 16Aa and the steep inclined surface 16Ab are connected and changed via a curved surface. The gentle inclined surface 16Aa and the steep inclined surface 16Ab may be formed as a curved surface. That is, the support portion 11Ab of the wiper arm 11A moving from the standby position to the retracted position contacts the steep inclined surface 16Ab after contacting the gentle inclined surface 16Aa. Therefore, in the wiper device of the embodiment, when the support portion 11Ab of the wiper arm 11A moves from the standby position to the retracted position, it is first gently separated from the window 21 by the gentle inclined surface 16Aa, and then rapidly separated from the window by the steep inclined surface 16Ab. Accordingly, in the wiper device of the embodiment, when moving from the standby position to the retracted position, the wiper rubber 11C is first gently separated from the window 21 by the gentle inclined surface 16Aa, and then rapidly separated from the window by the steep inclined surface 16Ab. Also, accordingly, in the wiper device of the embodiment, when returning from the retracted position to the standby position, the wiper rubber 11C rapidly approaches the window 21 by the steep inclined surface 16Ab first, and then gently contacts the window by the gentle inclined surface 16Aa. Thus, the inclined surface 16A of the variable part 16 contacts the support portion 11Ab of the wiper arm 11A to displace the position of the support portion 11Ab (wiper rubber 11C).

[0037] FIGS. 9 and 10 are detailed operation diagrams of another example of the wiper device of the embodiment.

[0038] The variable part 17 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is provided at the position where the support portion 11Ab of the wiper arm 11A of the wiper body 11 contacts when the wiper arm 11A moves from the standby position (see FIG. 9) to the retracted position (see FIG. 10). The variable part 17 has a fixed base 17A and a moving body 17B.

[0039] The fixed base 17A supports the moving body 17B, and is fixed at a position where the support portion 11Ab of the wiper arm 11A abuts against the moving body 17B when the wiper arm 11A moves from the standby position to the retracted position. The moving body 17B is provided with respect to the fixed base 17A via the shaft 17Ba, and is provided so as to be movable around the shaft 17Ba along the direction in which the support portion 11Ab of the wiper arm 11A moves between the standby position and the retracted position. The moving body 17B is formed with a substantially L-shaped cross section, and the bent portion of the L-shape is provided on the fixed base 17A via the shaft 17Ba. As shown in FIGS. 9 to 10, the moving body 17B is arranged such that when the support portion 11Ab of the wiper arm 11A moves from the standby position to the retracted position, one end portion 17Bb of the L-shape abuts against the support portion 11Ab. Further, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 10, the moving body 17B is arranged such that when the support portion 11Ab of the wiper arm 11A moves from the retracted position to the standby position, the other end portion 17Bc of the L-shape abuts against the support portion 11Ab.

[0040] In the wiper device of the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, when the support portion 11Ab of the wiper arm 11A is in the standby position, the moving body 17B is set up so that one end portion 17Bb of the L-shape is positioned on the way through which the support portion 11Ab passes to the retracted position. When the support portion 11Ab of the wiper arm 11A is in the standby position, the moving body 17B is arranged such that the other end portion 17Bc of the L-shape lies on the first support surface 17Aa of the fixed base 17A so as to maintain the set-up arrangement of the one end portion 17Bb.

[0041] Further, in the wiper device of the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the moving body 17B is arranged such that, when the support portion 11Ab of the wiper arm 11A is in the retracted position, the protruding portion 17Bd provided at one end portion 17Bb and the other end portion 17Bc of the L-shape abuts against the support portion 11Ab. When the support portion 11Ab of the wiper arm 11A reaches the retracted position, one end portion 17Bb of the L-shape of the moving body 17B is pushed by the support portion 11Ab and obliquely falls from the standing arrangement in FIG. 9. Along with this, the other end portion 17Bc of the L-shape rises, and the protruding portion 17Bd pushes and moves the support portion 11Ab in a direction away from the window 21. As a result, the wiper rubber 11C moves away from the window 21 together with the support portion 11Ab. In this retracted position, as shown in FIG. 10, the moving body 17B is arranged such that one end portion 17Bb of the L-shape abuts against the support portion 11Ab and the oblique arrangement is maintained, and one end portion 17Bb of the L-shape hits against the oblique second support surface 17Ab of the fixed base 17A. Also, in the retracted position, as shown in FIG. 10, the moving body 17B is arranged such that the protruding portion 17Bd of the other end portion 17Bc of the L-shape supports the support portion 11Ab. Since the support portion 11Ab of the wiper arm 11A is pushed from the standby position toward the retracted position by the link mechanism 12 in the retracted position, one end portion 17Bb of the L-shape of the moving body 17B is pressed against the oblique second support surface 17Ab of the fixed base 17A, and the position where the protruding portion 17Bd of the other end portion 17Bc of the L-shape supports the support portion 11Ab is maintained.

[0042] Further, in the retracted position, the moving body 17B is arranged such that the other end portion 17Bc of the L-shape is disposed on the side where the support portion 11Ab of the wiper arm 11A moves toward the standby position. For this reason, when the support portion 11Ab of the wiper arm 11A moves from the retracted position to the standby position, the moving body 17B causes the other end portion 17Bc of the L-shape to return toward the lying arrangement in FIG. 9, the protruding portion 17Bd is disengaged from the arrangement where it supports the support portion 11Ab, and one end portion 17Bb of the L-shape is returned toward the standing arrangement in FIG. 9. In this way, the variable portion 17 displaces the position of the support portion 11Ab (wiper rubber 11C) by abutting against the support portion 11Ab of the wiper arm 11A and moving the moving body 17B.

[0043] The wiper device according to the above-described embodiment includes a wiper arm 11A (support portion 11Ab) that is displaceable so as to contact or separate the wiper rubber 11C from the window 21, a link mechanism 12 that swings the wiper arm 11A, a drive motor 13 that applies a rotational force to the link mechanism 12, a rotating body 14 that is rotatably provided by the drive motor 13 and has two fulcrum portions 14A and 14B at different distances from the center of the rotation (rotation axis 13A), and a communication portion 14C that communicates the respective fulcrum portions 14A and 14B, a moving member 15 that is connected to the link mechanism 12 and is movably provided along the communication portion 14C and is disposed at one fulcrum portion 14A in response to the normal rotation of the rotating body 14 and is disposed at the other fulcrum portion 14B in response to the reverse rotation of the rotating body 14, and a variable portion 16 (or variable portion 17) that displaces the wiper arm 11A swung by the link mechanism 12 as the moving member 15 moves from one fulcrum portion 14A to the other fulcrum portion 14B to separate the wiper rubber 11C from the window 21.

[0044] Incidentally, the wiper device according to the embodiment can move from the standby position to the retracted position by turning off the main switch of the vehicle, and can move from the retracted position to the standby position by turning on the main switch of the vehicle. Further, the wiper device according to the embodiment is provided with a temperature detection sensor (not shown) that can detect the outside temperature of the vehicle, and when the temperature detection sensor detects, for example, 0°C or lower or 30°C or higher, the wiper device can move from the standby position to the retracted position.

[0045] According to this wiper device, by distributing and arranging the moving member 15 at the respective fulcrum portions 14A and 14B by the normal rotation and the reverse rotation of the rotating body 14, an operation of swinging the wiper arm 11A and an operation of displacing the wiper arm 11A by the variable portion 16 (or variable portion 17) to separate the wiper rubber 11C from the window 21 are performed. As a result, according to this wiper device, while using the drive motor 13 of the wiper arm 11A, it is possible to prevent the wiper rubber 11C from sticking to the window 21 during snow accumulation or in hot weather.

[0046] Further, in the wiper device of the embodiment, when the rotating body 14 rotates in the reverse direction, the rotation angle of the rotating body 14 is restricted within the range of the communication portion 14C where the moving member 15 moves from one fulcrum portion 14A to the other fulcrum portion 14B.

[0047] When the rotating body 14 rotates in the reverse direction, if the reverse rotation is performed beyond the range of the communication portion 14C, the wiper arm 11A (support portion 11Ab) including the retracted position will swing with a large stroke in a state where the moving member 15 is disposed at the other fulcrum portion 14B. In this regard, according to this wiper device, by restricting the rotation angle of the rotating body 14 within the range of the communication portion 14C, it is possible to prevent a situation where the wiper arm 11A swings in a state where the moving member 15 is disposed at the other fulcrum portion 14B.

[0048] Note that the range of the communication portion 14C becomes shorter as the angle θ between one fulcrum portion 14A and the other fulcrum portion 14B becomes smaller, and the rotation angle during the reverse rotation of the rotating body 14 can be made smaller. On the other hand, the range of the communication portion 14C becomes longer as the angle θ between one fulcrum portion 14A and the other fulcrum portion 14B becomes larger, increasing the moving torque to the retracted position via the link mechanism 12 during the reverse rotation of the rotating body 14 and increasing the force for separating the wiper rubber 11C from the window 21.

[0049] Further, in the wiper device of the embodiment, the variable portion 16 has an inclined surface 16A that abuts against the wiper arm 11A (support portion 11Ab) and displaces the wiper arm 11A (support portion 11Ab).

[0050] According to this wiper device, the inclined surface 16A of the variable portion 16 can smoothly displace the wiper arm 11A (support portion 11Ab) for separating the wiper rubber 11C from the window 21.

[0051] Further, in the wiper device of the embodiment, the inclined surface 16A is formed by changing from a gentle inclined surface 16Aa to a steep inclined surface 16Ab from the initial contact to the later contact of the wiper arm 11A (support portion 11Ab).

[0052] According to this wiper device, by making the inclined surface 16Aa gentle at the initial contact of the wiper arm 11A (support portion 11Ab), for example, when the wiper rubber 11C is starting to stick to the window 21, the wiper rubber 11C can be gradually separated from the window 21, and then, at the later stage of contact, the wiper rubber 11C can be surely separated from the window 21 with a large force. As a result, it is possible to separate the wiper rubber 11C from the window 21 while preventing damage to the wiper rubber 11C.

[0053] Further, in the wiper device of the embodiment, the variable portion 17 has a moving body 17B that moves in contact with the wiper arm 11A (support portion 11Ab) to displace the wiper arm 11A (support portion 11Ab).

[0054] According to this wiper device, it is also possible to adopt a configuration having a moving body 17B such as the variable portion 17, and it is possible to prevent the wiper rubber 11C from sticking to the window 21.

[0055] In each of the above-described embodiments, the following inventions are included. [Invention 1] A wiper arm that can be displaced so as to bring a wiper rubber into contact with or separate from a window, A link mechanism that swings the wiper arm, A drive motor that applies a rotational force to the link mechanism, A rotating body that is rotatably provided by the drive motor and has two fulcrum portions with different distances from the center of the rotation and a communicating portion that communicates the respective fulcrum portions, A moving member that is connected to the link mechanism, is movably provided along the communicating portion, is disposed at one of the fulcrum portions in response to the forward rotation of the rotating body, and is disposed at the other fulcrum portion in response to the reverse rotation of the rotating body, A variable portion that displaces the wiper arm swung by the link mechanism as the moving member moves from one of the fulcrum portions to the other fulcrum portion to separate the wiper rubber from the window, A wiper device including the above. [Invention 2] The wiper device according to Invention 1, wherein when the rotating body rotates in the reverse direction, the rotation angle of the rotating body is limited within the range of the communication portion through which the moving member moves from one fulcrum portion to the other fulcrum portion. [Invention 3] The wiper device according to Invention 1 or 2, wherein the variable portion has an inclined surface that abuts against the wiper arm and displaces the wiper arm. [Invention 4] The wiper device according to Invention 3, wherein the inclined surface is formed by changing from a gentle slope to a steep slope from the initial contact to the later contact of the wiper arm. [Invention 5] The wiper device according to Invention 1 or 2, wherein the variable portion has a moving body that abuts against the wiper arm and moves to displace the wiper arm.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0056] 11A Wiper arm 11Ab Support portion 11C Wiper rubber 12 Link mechanism 13A Rotation shaft (center of rotation) 13 Drive motor 14 Rotating body 14A, 14B Fulcrum portions 14C Communication portion 15 Moving member 16 Variable portion 16A Inclined surface 16Aa Gentle slope 16Ab Steep slope 17 Variable portion 17B Moving body 21 Window

Claims

1. a wiper arm displaceable to contact or separate from a window with a wiper rubber; a link mechanism for swinging the wiper arm; a drive motor for applying a rotational force to the link mechanism; a rotating body rotatably provided by the drive motor, having two fulcrum portions with different distances from the center of the rotation, and a communicating portion communicating each of the fulcrum portions; a moving member connected to the link mechanism, movably provided along the communicating portion, disposed at one of the fulcrum portions in response to the forward rotation of the rotating body, and disposed at the other fulcrum portion in response to the reverse rotation of the rotating body; a variable portion that displaces the wiper arm swung by the link mechanism as the moving member moves from one of the fulcrum portions to the other, to separate the wiper rubber from the window; A wiper device comprising the above.

2. The wiper device according to claim 1, wherein the rotation angle of the rotating body is limited within a range of the communicating portion where the moving member moves from one of the fulcrum portions to the other during the reverse rotation of the rotating body.

3. The wiper device according to claim 1, wherein the variable portion has an inclined surface that contacts the wiper arm to displace the wiper arm.

4. The wiper device according to claim 3, wherein the inclined surface is formed by changing from a gentle slope to a steep slope from the initial contact to the later contact of the wiper arm.

5. The wiper device according to claim 1, wherein the variable portion has a moving body that contacts and moves along the wiper arm to displace the wiper arm.

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