Wiper device

Abstract

To provide a wiper device capable of further suppressing the occurrence of abnormal noise while maintaining good wiping performance.SOLUTION: An arm head 50 comprises: outer surface portions 51A, 51B; a connecting recess 58 provided between the outer surface portions 51A, 51B; and front head-side abutment surfaces HB1, HB3, and rear head-side abutment surfaces HB2, HB4 which are provided on the outer surface portions 51A, 51B and arranged on both sides of the connecting recess 58 in the longitudinal direction of the arm head 50. An arm shank 40 comprises: inner surface portions 49A, 49B; a connecting shaft 43 provided between the inner surface portions 49A, 49B; and front shank-side abutment surfaces SB1, SB3, and rear shank-side abutment surfaces SB2, SB4 which are provided on the inner surface portions 49A, 49B and arranged on both sides of the connecting shaft 43 in the longitudinal direction of the arm shank 40 so as to abut against the front head-side abutment surfaces HB1, HB3, and the rear head-side abutment surfaces HB2, HB4, respectively.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wiper device including a wiper blade for wiping a wiping surface and swung by a swing shaft.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a wiper arm mounted on a vehicle or the like. The wiper arm has an arm head fixed to a drive shaft and a retainer rotatably connected to the arm head. A pair of side wall portions are provided in front of the arm head, and a connecting shaft is provided between and in front of the pair of side wall portions. A connecting recess is provided behind the retainer, and the connecting recess is connected to the connecting shaft of the arm head.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, since the connecting shaft is arranged at the front end portion of the arm head, the retainer is likely to rattle with respect to the arm head in the wiping direction of the wiper blade. Such rattling of the retainer with respect to the arm head causes a decrease in the wiping performance of the wiper blade and the generation of abnormal noise from the wiper device.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a wiper device capable of better suppressing the generation of abnormal noise while improving the wiping performance.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In one aspect of the wiper device, there is provided a wiper device including an arm head fixed to a swing axis, an arm shank having a proximal end rotatably attached to the arm head, and a wiper blade attached to a distal end side of the arm shank for wiping a wiping surface. The arm head includes a pair of head-side side wall portions respectively directed to one side and the other side in the wiping direction of the wiper blade, a head-side connecting portion provided between the pair of head-side side wall portions and extending in the wiping direction of the wiper blade, and a first head-side abutting surface and a second head-side abutting surface respectively provided on the pair of head-side side wall portions and disposed on both sides of the head-side connecting portion in the longitudinal direction of the arm head. The arm shank includes a pair of shank-side side wall portions respectively directed to one side and the other side in the wiping direction of the wiper blade and respectively facing the pair of head-side side wall portions, a shank-side connecting portion provided between the pair of shank-side side wall portions, extending in the wiping direction of the wiper blade and connected to the head-side connecting portion, and a first shank-side abutting surface and a second shank-side abutting surface respectively provided on the pair of shank-side side wall portions, disposed on both sides of the shank-side connecting portion in the longitudinal direction of the arm shank, and respectively abutted against the first head-side abutting surface and the second head-side abutting surface in the wiping direction of the wiper blade.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a wiper device capable of better suppressing the generation of abnormal noise while improving wiping performance.

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

Figure 11

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a view of the wiper device seen from the front side, FIG. 2 is a view of the wiper device seen from the side, FIG. 3 is a view of the wiper device seen from the back side, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the arm shank and the wiper blade, FIG. 6 is a perspective partial cross-sectional view showing the inside of the proximal end side of the arm shank in an enlarged manner, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the arm head seen from the front side, FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the arm head seen from the back side, FIG. 9 is a view showing the arrangement relationship of the arm head, the tension spring, and the proximal end side of the wiper blade, FIG. 10 is a view showing the tilting state of the arm shank with respect to the arm head when wiping to one side of the wiper blade, and FIG. 11 is a view showing the tilting state of the arm shank with respect to the arm head when wiping to the other side of the wiper blade, respectively.

[0011] [Overview of Wiper Device] The wiper device 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 wipes a windshield (wiping surface WS) provided on a back 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 to which the wiper blade 20 is attached.

[0012] The proximal end side (the right side in FIGS. 1 to 4) of the wiper arm 30 is fixed to the distal end side of a swing shaft SH of a rear wiper motor (not shown) housed inside the back door by a fastening nut NT. Thereby, when the swing shaft SH swings due to the drive of the rear wiper motor, the wiper arm 30 and the wiper blade 20 swing on the wiping surface WS.

[0013] The wiper blade 20 is attached to the distal end side (the left side in FIGS. 1 to 4) of the wiper arm 30. The wiper blade 20 includes a connecting member 21 that is rotatably attached to the distal end side of the wiper arm 30, and a blade rubber 22 held by the connecting member 21.

[0014] Here, the blade rubber 22 is formed in a long shape by extrusion molding natural rubber or the like, and is held by the connecting member 21 via a pair of leaf springs (not shown) also called antivibrators. Covers 23 that cover the back sides of the pair of leaf springs and the blade rubber 22 are provided on both longitudinal sides of the connecting member 21, respectively. Further, end caps 24 are attached to both longitudinal sides of the pair of leaf springs and the blade rubber 22, respectively. Thereby, the blade rubber 22 is prevented from falling off from the pair of leaf springs.

[0015] The blade rubber 22 is pressed against the wiping surface WS by the spring force of a tension spring 70 (see FIG. 4) provided inside the wiper arm 30. Then, the wiper blade 20 reciprocates within a predetermined wiping range (not shown) on the wiping surface WS due to the swinging motion of the wiper arm 30. Thereby, rainwater, dust, etc. attached to the wiping surface WS are wiped off.

[0016] Here, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the wiper arm 30 includes an arm shank 40, an arm head 50, a cover member 60, and a tension spring 70.

[0017] [Arm shank] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the arm shank 40 is formed in a substantially rod-like shape with a tapered end by injection molding a resin material such as plastic. The arm shank 40 has a substantially U-shaped cross section along a direction orthogonal to its longitudinal direction and includes a pair of side wall portions 41. These side wall portions 41 are respectively arranged so as to face each other on one side and the other side in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 20 (the vertical direction in FIGS. 1 and 3), that is, on both sides in the short direction of the arm shank 40.

[0018] Further, the arm shank 40 includes a single top wall portion 42. Specifically, the top wall portion 42 is provided on the side opposite to the wiping surface WS side of the pair of side wall portions 41 and connects 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 direction of the top wall portion 42.

[0019] Inside the arm shank 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 shank 40 (the right side in FIGS. 5 and 6), a connecting shaft 43 that is rotatably attached to the arm head 50 is integrally provided. That is, the proximal end side of the arm shank 40 is rotatably attached to the arm head 50. Specifically, the connecting shaft 43 extends in the short direction of the arm shank 40 (the wiping direction of the wiper blade 20), and both axial ends of the connecting shaft 43 are respectively connected to the pair of side wall portions 41. Further, the connecting shaft 43 is disposed at a location of a notch portion 44 provided on the proximal end side of the top wall portion 42.

[0020] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the connecting shaft 43 has a shape in which a part of the outer peripheral portion of the cylinder is cut out so that the cross-section in the longitudinal direction of the arm shank 40 is substantially D-shaped. That is, the connecting shaft 43 has a flat portion 43a and has a so-called D-cut shape. Thereby, the connecting shaft 43 can be easily connected to the connecting recess 58 of the arm head 50.

[0021] Note that the connecting shaft 43 corresponds to the shank-side connecting portion in the present invention.

[0022] Also, inside the arm shank 40 and on the tip side of the arm shank 40 (the left side in FIGS. 4 and 5), a mounting shaft 45 to which the connecting member 21 of the wiper blade 20 is rotatably mounted is integrally provided. That is, at the tip side of the arm shank 40, the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 20 is rotatably mounted. Specifically, the mounting shaft 45 extends in the short direction of the arm shank 40, and both axial sides of the mounting shaft 45 are connected to a pair of side wall portions 41, respectively.

[0023] And the mounting shaft 45 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and a connecting portion 21a provided on the connecting member 21 can be mounted on the mounting shaft 45 by one touch by a so-called snap fit as shown by the broken-line arrow M in FIG. 5. In other words, the wiper blade 20 can be easily attached to and detached from the arm shank 40, and has excellent maintainability.

[0024] Furthermore, inside the arm shank 40 and between the connecting shaft 43 and the mounting shaft 45 in the longitudinal direction of the arm shank 40, a shank-side hooking portion 46 to which the tip side (the left side in FIG. 4) of the tension spring 70 is hooked is integrally provided. Specifically, the shank-side hooking portion 46 is provided between the pair of side wall portions 41 and is fixed at three locations in total, including the side wall portions 41 and the single top wall portion 42. Thereby, sufficient strength of the shank-side hooking portion 46 is ensured.

[0025] And the shank-side engaging portion 46 is disposed closer to the top wall portion 42 in the height direction of the arm shank 40 (the vertical direction in FIG. 4). That is, the shank-side engaging portion 46 is disposed at a deep position inside the arm shank 40. As a result, the tip side of the tension spring 70 is also disposed closer to the top wall portion 42.

[0026] Note that the proximal end side (the right side in FIG. 4) of the tension spring 70 is hooked on the head-side engaging portion 57 (see FIGS. 4 and 8) of the arm head 50. Here, the head-side engaging portion 57 is disposed closer to the wiping surface WS than the shank-side engaging portion 46 in the height direction of the arm shank 40. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the tension spring 70 can be hooked on each of the shank-side engaging portion 46 and the head-side engaging portion 57 while avoiding the connecting shaft 43 and the connecting recess 58.

[0027] Here, the tension spring 70 is provided between the arm head 50 and the arm shank 40 and generates a spring force that presses the wiper blade 20 toward the wiping surface WS. As shown in FIG. 4, the tension spring 70 includes a coil portion 71, a first hook portion 72 hooked on the head-side engaging portion 57, and a second hook portion 73 hooked on the shank-side engaging portion 46. Further, between the coil portion 71 and the first hook portion 72, a straight portion 74 extending in the extending direction of the arm shank 40 and an inclined portion 75 inclined with respect to the straight portion 74 are provided.

[0028] Thus, by providing the straight portion 74 and the inclined portion 75 in the tension spring 70, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the tension spring 70 can be substantially hidden inside the arm shank 40.

[0029] Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, a spring housing recess 47 is provided inside the arm shank 40 and on the proximal end side (the arm head 50 side) of the top wall portion 42.

[0030] The spring accommodation recess 47 extends in the longitudinal direction of the arm shank 40, and its length dimension is approximately half of the length dimension of the top wall portion 42. Further, the spring accommodation recess 47 is recessed with a predetermined depth from the inside to the outside of the arm shank 40. Specifically, the thickness dimension of the portion of the top wall portion 42 where the spring accommodation recess 47 is provided is approximately half of the thickness dimension of the portion of the top wall portion 42 where the spring accommodation recess 47 is not provided.

[0031] And at the tip side (the left side in FIGS. 4 and 5) of the spring accommodation recess 47, a tapered portion 47a that gently slopes from the portion of the top wall portion 42 where the spring accommodation recess 47 is provided toward the portion where the spring accommodation recess 47 is not provided is provided. Thereby, concentration of stress on the tip side of the spring accommodation recess 47 in the top wall portion 42 is suppressed.

[0032] Note that the shank-side engaging portion 46 is arranged in the region of the spring accommodation recess 47 in the longitudinal direction of the arm shank 40 and in the vicinity of the tapered portion 47a. That is, although the portion of the top wall portion 42 where the shank-side engaging portion 46 is provided is thin, sufficient rigidity is ensured. Therefore, the shank-side engaging portion 46 can be arranged closer to the top wall portion 42.

[0033] Thereby, when the arm shank 40 is raised with respect to the arm head 50 (not shown), a part of the coil portion 71 of the tension spring 70 can be accommodated in the spring accommodation recess 47 without contacting the top wall portion 42.

[0034] Also, inside the arm shank 40 and between the tapered portion 47a and the mounting shaft 45 in the longitudinal direction of the top wall portion 42, a reinforcing rib 48 is provided. The reinforcing rib 48 protrudes toward the inside of the arm shank 40 and has a substantially mesh shape. Specifically, the reinforcing rib 48 is fixed to a total of three locations: the pair of side wall portions 41 and the single top wall portion 42.

[0035] As a result, the rigidity of the portion where the reinforcing rib 48 of the arm shank 40 is provided can be sufficiently ensured. Here, a shank-side engaging portion 46 is provided in the vicinity of the reinforcing rib 48. Therefore, the distortion of the portion where the shank-side engaging portion 46 of the arm shank 40 is provided, in other words, the portion where a relatively large load is likely to be applied, is effectively suppressed.

[0036] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 10, and 11, inner surfaces 49A and 49B are respectively provided on the proximal ends of the pair of side wall portions 41 (the side where the notch portion 44 is provided). A connecting shaft 43 is provided between the pair of inner surfaces 49A and 49B, and the pair of inner surfaces 49A and 49B are respectively opposed to a pair of outer surfaces 51A and 51B (see FIGS. 7 and 8) provided on the arm head 50.

[0037] Specifically, the inner surfaces 49A and 49B are respectively directed toward one side and the other side of the wiping direction of the wiper blade 20 (the vertical direction in FIGS. 10 and 11). One inner surface 49A is opposed to one outer surface 51A of the arm head 50, and the other inner surface 49B is opposed to the other outer surface 51B of the arm head 50.

[0038] Note that the pair of inner surfaces 49A and 49B correspond to the pair of shank-side side wall portions in the present invention.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 5, one inner surface 49A is integrally provided with one front convex portion CPa and one rear convex portion CPb. These front convex portion CPa and rear convex portion CPb protrude from one inner surface 49A toward one outer surface 51A of the arm head 50 (see FIG. 8). At the top of the front convex portion CPa, one front shank-side contact surface SB1 is provided, and at the top of the rear convex portion CPb, two rear shank-side contact surfaces SB2 are provided.

[0040] These front shank side abutting surfaces SB1 and rear shank side abutting surfaces SB2 are respectively arranged on both sides of the connecting shaft 43 in the longitudinal direction of the arm shank 40. That is, the front shank side abutting surface SB1 and the rear shank side abutting surface SB2 are arranged so as to sandwich the connecting shaft 43. Further, the front shank side abutting surface SB1 and the rear shank side abutting surface SB2 are respectively abutted against a front head side abutting surface HB1 and a rear head side abutting surface HB2 (see FIG. 8) provided on the arm head 50 in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 20.

[0041] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, on the other inner surface portion 49B, the other front convex portion CPc and the other rear convex portion CPd are integrally provided. These front convex portion CPc and rear convex portion CPd protrude from the other inner surface portion 49B toward the other outer surface portion 51B (see FIG. 7) of the arm head 50. On the top of the front convex portion CPc, one front shank side abutting surface SB3 is provided, and on the top of the rear convex portion CPd, two rear shank side abutting surfaces SB4 are provided.

[0042] These front shank side abutting surfaces SB3 and rear shank side abutting surfaces SB4 are respectively arranged on both sides of the connecting shaft 43 in the longitudinal direction of the arm shank 40. That is, the front shank side abutting surface SB3 and the rear shank side abutting surface SB4 are arranged so as to sandwich the connecting shaft 43. Further, the front shank side abutting surface SB3 and the rear shank side abutting surface SB4 are respectively abutted against a front head side abutting surface HB3 and a rear head side abutting surface HB4 (see FIG. 7) provided on the arm head 50 in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 20.

[0043] Here, in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 20, the front shank side abutting surface SB1 and the front shank side abutting surface SB3 face each other, and the rear shank side abutting surface SB2 and the rear shank side abutting surface SB4 face each other.

[0044] Note that the front shank side striking surfaces SB1 and SB3 respectively correspond to the first shank side striking surfaces in the present invention, and the rear shank side striking surfaces SB2 and SB4 respectively correspond to the second shank side striking surfaces in the present invention. Also, the front convex portions CPa and CPc respectively correspond to the first convex portions in the present invention, and the rear convex portions CPb and CPd respectively correspond to the second convex portions in the present invention.

[0045] Here, in FIGS. 5 and 6, in order to make the arrangement locations of the front shank side striking surfaces SB1 and SB3 and the rear shank side striking surfaces SB2 and SB4 easy to understand, each of the front shank side striking surfaces SB1 and SB3 and the rear shank side striking surfaces SB2 and SB4 is shown shaded.

[0046] Furthermore, locking claws 49C are integrally provided on the pair of inner surfaces 49A and 49B, respectively. The pair of locking claws 49C project at a predetermined height toward the arm head 50, respectively. And the pair of locking claws 49C can respectively enter inside locking grooves 51C (see FIGS. 7 and 8) provided on the pair of outer surface portions 51A and 51B of the arm head 50.

[0047] Specifically, when the arm shank 40 is raised with respect to the arm head 50 (when in the locked-back state), the pair of locking claws 49C are respectively engaged with the pair of locking grooves 51C. Thereby, the locked-back state of the arm shank 40 is maintained.

[0048] [Arm head] As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the arm head 50 is formed in 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 FIG. 3). The arm head 50 has a pair of outer surface portions 51A and 51B respectively directed to one side and the other side (the vertical direction in FIGS. 1 and 3) of the wiping direction of the wiper blade 20.

[0049] The outer surface portions 51A and 51B are respectively directed toward one side and the other side (the vertical direction in FIGS. 10 and 11) of the wiping direction of the wiper blade 20. One of the outer surface portions 51A faces one inner surface portion 49A of the arm shank 40, and the other outer surface portion 51B faces the other inner surface portion 49B of the arm shank 40.

[0050] Note that the pair of outer surface portions 51A and 51B correspond to the pair of head-side side wall portions in the present invention.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 8, two front head-side abutting surfaces HB1 and two rear head-side abutting surfaces HB2 are provided on one of the outer surface portions 51A. These front head-side abutting surfaces HB1 and rear head-side abutting surfaces HB2 are respectively arranged on both sides of the connecting recess 58 in the longitudinal direction of the arm head 50. That is, the front head-side abutting surfaces HB1 and the rear head-side abutting surfaces HB2 are arranged so as to sandwich the connecting recess 58. Further, the front head-side abutting surfaces HB1 and the rear head-side abutting surfaces HB2 are respectively abutted against a front shank-side abutting surface SB1 and a rear shank-side abutting surface SB2 (see FIG. 5) provided on the arm shank 40 in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 20.

[0052] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, two front head-side abutting surfaces HB3 and two rear head-side abutting surfaces HB4 are provided on the other outer surface portion 51B. These front head-side abutting surfaces HB3 and rear head-side abutting surfaces HB4 are respectively arranged on both sides of the connecting recess 58 in the longitudinal direction of the arm head 50. That is, the front head-side abutting surfaces HB3 and the rear head-side abutting surfaces HB4 are arranged so as to sandwich the connecting recess 58. Further, the front head-side abutting surfaces HB3 and the rear head-side abutting surfaces HB4 are respectively abutted against a front shank-side abutting surface SB3 and a rear shank-side abutting surface SB4 (see FIG. 6) provided on the arm shank 40 in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 20.

[0053] Here, in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 20, the front head side abutting surfaces HB1 and HB3 face in directions opposite to each other, and the rear head side abutting surfaces HB2 and HB4 face in directions opposite to each other.

[0054] Note that the front head side abutting surfaces HB1 and HB3 respectively correspond to the first head side abutting surfaces in the present invention, and the rear head side abutting surfaces HB2 and HB4 respectively correspond to the second head side abutting surfaces in the present invention.

[0055] Also, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the front head side abutting surfaces HB1 and HB3 are respectively disposed between the connecting recess 58 and the wiper blade 20 in the longitudinal direction of the arm head 50. Further, at least a part of the wiper blade 20 side of the front head side abutting surfaces HB1 and HB3 is disposed at a position farther from the wiping surface WS than the rear head side abutting surfaces HB2 and HB4.

[0056] Specifically, the wiper blade 20 sides of the front head side abutting surfaces HB1 and HB3 are respectively recessed toward the top wall portion 42 side of the arm shank 40, and a step portion ST is provided at this location. Thereby, the wiper blade 20 sides of the front head side abutting surfaces HB1 and HB3 are disposed at positions farther from the wiping surface WS than the rear head side abutting surfaces HB2 and HB4, and thus, as shown by the arrow M1 in FIG. 9, the proximal end side (the right side in FIG. 9) of the wiper blade 20 can approach the arm head 50. Therefore, the entire wiper device 10 can be miniaturized.

[0057] Note that in FIGS. 7 to 9, in order to make the arrangement locations of the front head side abutting surfaces HB1 and HB3 and the rear head side abutting surfaces HB2 and HB4 easy to understand, each of the front head side abutting surfaces HB1 and HB3 and the rear head side abutting surfaces HB2 and HB4 is shown shaded.

[0058] Also, a fixed body 52 is provided on the proximal end side (the right side in FIGS. 7 and 8) of the arm head 50. As shown in FIG. 4, the fixed body 52 is a portion fixed to the swing shaft SH by a fastening nut NT, and an annular reinforcing member 53 is inserted (embedded) in the fixed body 52.

[0059] The reinforcing member 53 is made of aluminum and has a function of reinforcing the resin-made fixed 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 without looseness by the fastening nut NT.

[0060] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a pair of convex portions 54 are provided on the proximal end side of the arm head 50. These convex portions 54 are provided on a pair of outer surface portions 51A and 51B forming the arm head 50, respectively. Specifically, the convex portions 54 protrude from the pair of outer surface portions 51A and 51B at a predetermined height on one side and the other side in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 20. And a cover member 60 is rotatably attached to these convex portions 54. That is, the cover member 60 can be opened and closed with respect to the arm head 50 with the pair of convex portions 54 as a rotation center.

[0061] Here, as shown in FIG. 4, when the cover member 60 is closed, the cover member 60 covers the fastening nut NT. Therefore, the appearance of the wiper device 10 is improved. On the other hand, when the cover member 60 is opened, 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.

[0062] Also, as shown in FIGS. 4, 7, and 8, a groove portion 55 is provided on the tip side (left side in the figure) of the arm head 50 along the longitudinal 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 location excluding the fixed main body 52 of the arm head 50.

[0063] And, as shown in FIG. 4, the base end side (right side in FIG. 4) of the tension spring 70 enters the groove portion 55. Note that the tension spring 70 is in a non-contact state with respect to the groove portion 55. Thereby, it is not necessary to project the tension spring 70 largely to the wiping surface WS side from the arm head 50. Therefore, the overall height of the wiper device 10 can be suppressed to be low (low-profile).

[0064] Inside the groove portion 55, a head-side engaging portion 57 formed in a substantially columnar shape is integrally provided. Specifically, the head-side engaging portion 57 is disposed at the center in the longitudinal direction of the arm head 50 and in the vicinity of the fixed main body 52. Further, the head-side engaging portion 57 is disposed so as to cross 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 engaging portion 57.

[0065] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, a connecting recess 58 for rotatably supporting the connecting shaft 43 of the arm shank 40 is provided on the tip side of the arm head 50. Specifically, the connecting recess 58 is disposed on the arm shank 40 side (left side in the figure) rather than the head-side engaging portion 57 in the longitudinal direction of the arm head 50. Also, the connecting recess 58 is provided between the pair of outer surface portions 51A and 51B and extends in the short side direction (wiping direction of the wiper blade 20) of the arm head 50.

[0066] Note that the connecting recess 58 corresponds to the head-side connecting portion in the present invention.

[0067] Furthermore, on the side opposite to the wiping surface WS side of the connecting recess 58 (the upper side in FIGS. 4 and 7), an opening 58a is provided on the mounting side where the connecting shaft 43 is mounted. And in the state where the wiper device 10 is assembled, the opening 58a is covered by the cover member 60. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the connecting shaft 43 from coming off from the connecting recess 58. Further, since the opening 58a is covered by the cover member 60, the surface of the wiper device 10 becomes smooth, and thus the generation of wind noise can be suppressed.

[0068] Also, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, lock grooves 51C are respectively provided on a pair of outer surface portions 51A and 51B forming the arm head 50. And inside the pair of lock grooves 51C, when the arm shank 40 is in the locked-back state with respect to the arm head 50, a pair of lock claws 49C (see FIGS. 5 and 6) provided on the arm shank 40 can respectively enter.

[0069] [Regarding the wiping operation of the wiper device] As shown in FIG. 10, when the rear wiper motor is driven and the swing shaft SH is rotated in the counterclockwise direction (one direction), the arm head 50 is rotated in the direction of arrow R1 about the axis C1. Thereby, also in the arm shank 40 attached to the arm head 50, it tries to rotate in the direction of arrow R1 about the axis C1.

[0070] However, the wiper blade 20 attached to the tip side of the arm shank 40 tries to stay in place due to the frictional force with the wiping surface WS. Thereby, the arm shank 40 tries to rotate in the direction of arrow R2 about the axis C2 with respect to the arm head 50.

[0071] Here, the connecting portion between the arm shank 40 and the arm head 50 is the location where the connecting shaft 43 and the connecting recess 58 are arranged. That is, the axis C2 is arranged at the axial center of the connecting shaft 43 and the connecting recess 58.

[0072] Since the arm head 50 attempts to rotate in the direction of arrow R1 and the arm shank 40 attempts to rotate in the direction of arrow R2, the arm head 50 moves while pinching the arm shank 40. At this time, the axis CS (see Fig. 6) of the connecting shaft 43 and the axis CH (see Fig. 7) of the connecting recess 58 tend to shift relative to each other about the axis center C2 (see Fig. 10).

[0073] As a result, as shown by arrow M2 in Fig. 10, the front shank side abutting surface SB1 of the arm shank 40 strongly abuts against the front head side abutting surface HB1 of the arm head 50, and the rear shank side abutting surface SB4 of the arm shank 40 strongly abuts against the rear head side abutting surface HB4 of the arm head 50.

[0074] Therefore, during the wiping operation of the wiper device 10 in one direction, the play of the arm shank 40 with respect to the arm head 50 is suppressed. At this time, as shown by arrow M2, the arm shank 40 and the arm head 50 abut against each other at two locations in their longitudinal directions. That is, the load applied to the connecting portion (connecting shaft 43 and connecting recess 58) between the arm shank 40 and the arm head 50 is dispersed.

[0075] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 11, when the rear wiper motor is driven and the swing shaft SH is rotated in the clockwise direction (the other direction), the arm head 50 is rotated about the axis center C1 in the direction of arrow R3. In this case, the arm shank 40 attempts to rotate in the direction of arrow R4 about the axis center C2 with respect to the arm head 50.

[0076] Since the arm head 50 attempts to rotate in the direction of arrow R3 and the arm shank 40 attempts to rotate in the direction of arrow R4, the arm head 50 moves while pinching the arm shank 40. At this time, the axis CS of the connecting shaft 43 and the axis CH of the connecting recess 58 tend to shift relative to each other about the axis center C2 (see Fig. 11).

[0077] As a result, as shown by the arrow M3 in FIG. 11, the rear shank side abutting surface SB2 of the arm shank 40 is strongly abutted against the rear head side abutting surface HB2 of the arm head 50, and the front shank side abutting surface SB3 of the arm shank 40 is strongly abutted against the front head side abutting surface HB3 of the arm head 50.

[0078] Therefore, during the wiping operation of the wiper device 10 in other directions, the play of the arm shank 40 with respect to the arm head 50 is suppressed. At this time, as shown by the arrow M3, the arm shank 40 and the arm head 50 are abutted against each other at two locations in their longitudinal directions. That is, the load applied to the connecting portion (the connecting shaft 43 and the connecting recess 58) between the arm shank 40 and the arm head 50 is dispersed.

[0079] Here, depending on the vehicle type on which the wiper device 10 is mounted, there are some with a large curvature of the wiping surface WS. In this case, as shown by the broken line arrow R in FIG. 4, the wiper blade 20 swings greatly about the mounting shaft 45 with respect to the arm shank 40. At that time, the proximal end side (the right side in FIG. 4) of the wiper blade 20 enters the inside of the arm shank 40 and approaches the step portion ST of the arm head 50 as shown in the enlarged portion surrounded by the broken line in FIG. 4. In other words, the wiper device 10 can also cope with those with a large curvature of the wiping surface WS.

[0080] As described in detail above, according to the wiper device 10 of the present embodiment, the arm head 50 includes a pair of outer surface portions 51A and 51B respectively directed to one side and the other side in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 20, a connecting recess 58 provided between the pair of outer surface portions 51A and 51B and extending in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 20, and front head-side abutting surfaces HB1 and HB3 and rear head-side abutting surfaces HB2 and HB4 respectively provided on the pair of outer surface portions 51A and 51B and disposed on both sides of the connecting recess 58 in the longitudinal direction of the arm head 50. The arm shank 40 includes a pair of inner surface portions 49A and 49B respectively directed to one side and the other side in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 20 and respectively facing the pair of outer surface portions 51A and 51B, a connecting shaft 43 provided between the pair of inner surface portions 49A and 49B, extending in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 20 and connected to the connecting recess 58, and front shank-side abutting surfaces SB1 and SB3 and rear shank-side abutting surfaces SB2 and SB4 respectively provided on the pair of inner surface portions 49A and 49B, disposed on both sides of the connecting shaft 43 in the longitudinal direction of the arm shank 40, and respectively abutted against the front head-side abutting surfaces HB1 and HB3 and the rear head-side abutting surfaces HB2 and HB4 in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 20.

[0081] Thereby, when the axis CS of the connecting shaft 43 and the axis CH of the connecting recess 58 tend to be displaced, the arm shank 40 and the arm head 50 are abutted against each other at two locations on both sides of the connecting shaft 43 and the connecting recess 58 in their longitudinal directions respectively. Therefore, the rattling in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 20 can be surely suppressed. Further, the load applied to the connecting portion (the connecting shaft 43 and the connecting recess 58) between the arm shank 40 and the arm head 50 can be dispersed, and the connecting shaft 43 and the connecting recess 58 can be protected.

[0082] Therefore, the wiping performance of the wiper device 10 can be improved. Further, the generation of so-called chattering noises and the like caused by rattling can be effectively suppressed, and thus it can be effectively applied to an electric vehicle or the like (a vehicle or the like that requires quietness) whose drive source is an electric motor.

[0083] Further, according to the wiper device 10 of the present embodiment, the front shank side abutting surfaces SB1 and SB3 and the rear shank side abutting surfaces SB2 and SB4 are respectively provided on the front convex portions CPa and CPc and the rear convex portions CPb and CPd that protrude from the pair of inner surface portions 49A and 49B toward the pair of outer surface portions 51A and 51B.

[0084] Thereby, the pair of side wall portions 41 (the pair of inner surface portions 49A and 49B) forming the arm shank 40 can be reinforced, and thus the rigidity of the entire wiper device 10 can be increased. Also by this, the wiping performance of the wiper device 10 can be improved and the quietness can be improved.

[0085] Furthermore, according to the wiper device 10 of the present embodiment, the front head side abutting surfaces HB1 and HB3 are disposed between the connecting recess 58 and the wiper blade 20 in the longitudinal direction of the arm head 50, and the wiper blade 20 side of the front head side abutting surfaces HB1 and HB3 is disposed at a position farther from the wiping surface WS than the rear head side abutting surfaces HB2 and HB4.

[0086] Thereby, the proximal end side of the wiper blade 20 can be brought closer to the arm head 50, and thus the entire wiper device 10 can be reduced in size (low profile). Therefore, it is possible to effectively suppress the generation of wind noise during high-speed running of the vehicle or the like.

[0087] Also, according to the wiper device 10 of the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the rattling of the arm shank 40 and the arm head 50 and prevent the connecting shaft 43 and the connecting recess 58 from being damaged early, and thus it is possible to improve the durability and reduce the manufacturing energy. Therefore, it is possible to achieve particularly Goal 7 (ensuring access for all people to affordable, reliable and sustainable modern energy) and Goal 13 (taking urgent measures to mitigate climate change and its impacts) in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) defined by the United Nations.

[0088] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist thereof. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the connecting recess 58 is provided in the arm head 50 and the connecting shaft 43 is provided in the arm shank 40, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and a connecting shaft may be provided in the arm head 50 and a connecting recess may be provided in the arm shank 40. That is, the relationship of the concave-convex engagement may be reversed.

[0089] Further, in the above-described embodiment, the wiper device 10 has been described by taking as an example the one for wiping the windshield (rear windshield) provided in the back door of a vehicle such as an automobile, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, it can also be applied to a wiper device for wiping the front windshield of a vehicle such as an automobile, or the glass of an aircraft, a railway vehicle, a construction machine, etc.

[0090] In addition, the material, shape, dimensions, number, installation location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiment are arbitrary as long as the present invention can be achieved, and are not limited to the above-described embodiment.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0091] 10: Wiper device, 20: Wiper blade, 21: Connecting member, 21a: Connecting part, 22: Blade rubber, 23: Cover, 24: End cap, 30: Wiper arm, 40: Arm shank, 41: Side wall part, 42: Top wall part, 43: Connecting shaft (shank side connecting part), 43a: Flat part, 44: Notch part, 45: Mounting shaft, 46: Shank side engaging part, 47: Spring housing recess, 47a: Tapered part, 48: Reinforcing rib, 49A: One inner surface part (shank side side wall part), 49B: The other inner surface part (shank side side wall part), 49C: Lock claw, 50: Arm head, 51A: One outer surface part (head side side wall part), 51B: The other outer surface part (head side side wall part), 51C: Lock groove, 52: Fixed body, 53: Reinforcing member, 54: Protrusion, 55: Groove part, 57: Head side engaging part, 58: Connecting recess (head side connecting part), 58a: Opening, 60: Cover member, 70: Tension spring, 71: Coil part, 72: First hook part, 73: Second hook part, 74: Straight part, 75: Inclined part, CPa: One front protrusion (first protrusion), CPb: One rear protrusion (second protrusion), CPc: The other front protrusion (first protrusion), CPd: The other rear protrusion (second protrusion), HB1, HB3: Front head side contact surface (first head side contact surface), HB2, HB4: Rear head side contact surface (second head side contact surface), NT: Fastening nut, SB1, SB3: Front shank side contact surface (first shank side contact surface), SB2, SB4: Rear shank side contact surface (second shank side contact surface), SH: Rocking shaft, ST: Step part, WS: Wiping surface

Claims

1. An arm head fixed to a swing shaft, An arm shank with its proximal end rotatably attached to the arm head, A wiper blade attached to the distal end side of the arm shank for wiping a wiping surface, A wiper device comprising: The arm head has: A pair of head-side side wall portions respectively directed to one side and the other side in the wiping direction of the wiper blade, A head-side connecting portion provided between the pair of head-side side wall portions and extending in the wiping direction of the wiper blade, A first head-side abutting surface and a second head-side abutting surface respectively provided on the pair of head-side side wall portions and arranged on both sides of the head-side connecting portion in the longitudinal direction of the arm head, and has The arm shank has: A pair of shank-side side wall portions respectively directed to one side and the other side in the wiping direction of the wiper blade and respectively facing the pair of head-side side wall portions, A shank-side connecting portion provided between the pair of shank-side side wall portions, extending in the wiping direction of the wiper blade, and connected to the head-side connecting portion, A first shank-side abutting surface and a second shank-side abutting surface respectively provided on the pair of shank-side side wall portions, arranged on both sides of the shank-side connecting portion in the longitudinal direction of the arm shank, and respectively abutted against the first head-side abutting surface and the second head-side abutting surface in the wiping direction of the wiper blade, and is provided with a wiper device.

2. In the wiper device according to Claim 1, The first shank-side abutting surface and the second shank-side abutting surface are respectively provided on a first convex portion and a second convex portion protruding from the shank-side side wall portion toward the head-side side wall portion. A wiper device.

3. The first head-side abutting surface is arranged between the head-side connecting portion and the wiper blade in the longitudinal direction of the arm head, and at least a part of the wiper blade side of the first head-side abutting surface is arranged at a position farther from the wiping surface than the second head-side abutting surface. The wiper device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2.

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