Wiper blade

Abstract

To improve assembly workability by simplifying a structure of a nonreturn valve, and downsize a washer unit.SOLUTION: There is provided a washer unit 50 fitted to a second long side wall part 42 of a connection member 40, and injecting a washer liquid W to a surface of window glass 11. The washer unit 50 has: a cover member 60 arranged so as to face the second long side wall part 42; a valve member 70 arranged between the second long side wall part 42 and the cover member 60; and a flow channel arranged between the cover member 60 and the valve member 70 and allowing the washer liquid W to circulate. The valve member 70 has a hollow nonreturn valve 72 arranged at the upstream side of the flow channel, and elastically deformable. The nonreturn valve 72 has a slit SL. The slit SL is opened against the resilience of the nonreturn valve 72 when internal pressure of the nonreturn valve 72 rises, and is closed by the resilience of the nonreturn valve 72 when internal pressure of the nonreturn valve 72 lowers.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wiper blade for wiping a surface to be wiped. [Background technology]

[0002] Vehicles such as automobiles are equipped with wiper devices that wipe rainwater and other debris off the surface of the windshield (the wiping surface). The wiper device has wiper blades that slide against the wiping surface. The wiper blades are attached to the tips of wiper arms that are swung by a drive shaft. As a result, by rotating the drive shaft forward and backward by a wiper motor, the wiper blades wipe away rainwater and dust that have adhered to the wiping surface.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a wiper blade that includes a pair of secondary levers that grip blade rubbers, a primary lever that supports the pair of secondary levers, a center cover portion attached to the primary levers, and a washer nozzle attached to the center cover portion.

[0004] The nozzle body that forms the washer nozzle contains a check valve that has a valve element that opens and closes the flow path and a coil spring that presses the valve element in a direction that closes the flow path. When the washer pump pumps out cleaning fluid, the valve element moves against the spring force of the coil spring to open the flow path, and when the supply of cleaning fluid is stopped, the valve element moves under the spring force of the coil spring to close the flow path. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-030565 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The technology described in Patent Document 1 requires that a check valve consisting of a valve body and a coil spring be housed operably inside the nozzle body, which results in a complicated washer nozzle structure, making assembly difficult, and also resulting in an increase in the size of the washer nozzle.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a wiper blade that simplifies the structure of a check valve, improves assembly workability, and enables a washer unit to be made smaller. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In one aspect of a wiper blade, a wiper blade is attached to a wiper arm that is oscillated by a drive shaft and wipes a surface to be wiped, and comprises: a connecting member that is rotatably attached to the wiper arm; a blade rubber that is attached to the connecting member and slides against the surface to be wiped; and a washer unit that is attached to at least one side wall of the connecting member in the wiping direction of the blade rubber and sprays cleaning fluid toward the surface to be wiped, wherein the washer unit has a first mounting member that is arranged opposite the side wall, a second mounting member that is arranged between the side wall and the first mounting member, and a flow path through which the cleaning fluid flows that is arranged between the first mounting member and the second mounting member, and the second mounting member is arranged upstream of the flow path and has an elastically deformable hollow check valve, the check valve has a slit that opens against the restoring force of the check valve when the internal pressure of the check valve increases and closes by the restoring force of the check valve when the internal pressure of the check valve decreases. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a wiper blade that simplifies the structure of the check valve, improves the assembly workability, and enables the washer unit to be made smaller. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1]1 is a perspective view of a wiper device mounted on a vehicle; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a view taken along the arrow A in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the washer unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of the washer unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing details of a connecting member. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the inside of the cover member. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing details of a valve member. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the details of the pipe connecting member. [Figure 9] 5 is an enlarged view of a portion B circled by a dashed line in FIG. 4, illustrating the operation of the valve body. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the washer unit. [Figure 11] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing an assembly procedure for the nozzle assembly. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the nozzle assembly as seen from the valve member side. [Figure 13] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing a procedure for attaching the nozzle assembly to the connecting member. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a fixing portion between the nozzle assembly and the connecting member. [Figure 15] 10A to 10C are perspective views showing a procedure for assembling the pipe connecting member to the nozzle assembly. [Figure 16] 5A to 5C are cross-sectional views showing a procedure for assembling the pipe connecting member to the nozzle assembly. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the valve member. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modified example in which washer units are provided on both the forward and backward sides of the connecting member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0012] Figure 1 is an oblique view of a wiper device mounted on a vehicle, Figure 2 is a view seen from the arrow A in Figure 1, Figure 3 is an enlarged oblique view of a washer unit, Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of the washer unit, Figure 5 is a diagram showing details of a connecting member, Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the inside of a cover member, Figure 7 is a diagram showing details of a valve member, and Figure 8 is a perspective view showing details of a piping connection member.

[0013] [Wiper device] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, a wiper device 10 wipes the surface of a window glass 11 provided at the front of a vehicle (not shown), such as an automobile. Typically, a pair of wiper devices 10 are provided at the front of a vehicle, one on the driver's seat side and one on the passenger seat side, and all have the same structure. Therefore, only one of the wiper devices 10 will be shown below, and its detailed structure will be described.

[0014] The wiper device 10 includes a wiper arm 20 and a wiper blade 30. The wiper blade 30 is rotatably attached to the tip of the wiper arm 20. The wiper blade 30 performs a reciprocating wiping operation over a wiping range (not shown) formed between a lower reversal position and an upper reversal position on the surface of the window glass 11.

[0015] Specifically, the wiper device 10 is oscillated by a drive shaft SH provided on the vehicle. Here, the drive shaft SH is, for example, the output shaft of a wiper motor (not shown) mounted near a bulkhead of the vehicle, and the base end of the wiper arm 20 is firmly fixed to the tip end of the drive shaft SH by a fastening nut (not shown).

[0016] [Wiper arm] The wiper arm 20 extends in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 30 and includes an arm head 21, an arm shank 22, and an arm piece 23. Specifically, the base end of the arm shank 22 is rotatably connected to the tip end of the arm head 21, and the base end of the arm piece 23 is fixed to the tip end of the arm shank 22 by crimping.

[0017] [Arm Head] A drive shaft fixing portion 21a fixed to the tip of the drive shaft SH is provided at the base end of the arm head 21, thereby allowing the wiper arm 20 to swing by the drive shaft SH. A first pipe connecting member 21b is attached near the drive shaft fixing portion 21a, and the tip of a first washer tube (not shown) provided on the vehicle side is connected to the first pipe connecting member 21b.

[0018] Here, the base end of the first washer tube provided on the vehicle side is connected to a washer pump (not shown) installed in the engine room of the vehicle, etc. By driving the washer pump, washer fluid W is supplied to the first pipe connecting member 21b as shown by the dashed arrow in FIG.

[0019] The washer fluid W corresponds to the cleaning fluid in the present invention.

[0020] The washer fluid W supplied to the first piping connection member 21b flows through the second washer tube TB installed along the wiper arm 20, and is then supplied to the washer unit 50 provided in the longitudinal center of the wiper blade 30.

[0021] Here, the washer fluid W supplied to the washer unit 50 is branched into four paths inside the washer unit 50 (see FIG. 6). The branched washer fluid W inside the washer unit 50 is then sprayed to four different positions in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 30, such as first washer fluid W1, second washer fluid W2, third washer fluid W3, and fourth washer fluid W4, as shown by the dashed arrows in FIG. 1. This allows the washer fluid W to be evenly distributed over four locations on the surface of the window glass 11 on the forward path side of the wiper blade 30 and in the vicinity of the wiper blade 30.

[0022] A shank connecting portion 21c to which the base end of the arm shank 22 is rotatably connected is provided at the tip end of the arm head 21. Specifically, the arm shank 22 is connected to the shank connecting portion 21c so that it can be locked back (raised up), and the spring force of a tension spring SP provided between the arm head 21 and the arm shank 22 makes it possible to maintain the locked back state.

[0023] [Arm shank] The cross section of the arm shank 22 along a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal direction is formed into a substantially U-shape, which allows the second washer tube TB and the tension spring SP to be housed inside the arm shank 22. This improves the overall appearance of the wiper device 10.

[0024] A head connecting portion 22a is provided at the base end of the arm shank 22, which is rotatably connected to the shank connecting portion 21c of the arm head 21. In addition, a piece fixing portion 22b is provided at the tip end of the arm shank 22, to which the base end of the arm piece 23 is fixed by crimping.

[0025] The second washer tube TB housed inside the arm shank 22 is pulled out to the outside of the arm shank 22 at the piece fixing portion 22b. The second washer tube TB pulled out to the outside of the arm shank 22 is aligned substantially straight with respect to the piece fixing portion 22b and the arm piece 23 without slack.

[0026] [Arm piece] The arm piece 23 is formed in a rod shape extending approximately straight in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 30, and the base end of the arm piece 23 is fixed to the piece fixing portion 22b of the arm shank 22, and a U-shaped hook 23a is provided at the tip end of the arm piece 23.

[0027] Specifically, the connecting member 40 of the wiper blade 30 is rotatably attached to the U-shaped hook 23a via a clip member CL (see FIG. 4). As a result, the central portion of the wiper blade 30 in the longitudinal direction is attached to the tip of the arm piece 23, and the wiper blade 30 can slide along the shape of the window glass 11.

[0028] Furthermore, a holding member 23b that holds the second washer tube TB is attached to approximately the center in the longitudinal direction of the arm piece 23. The holding member 23b holds the tip side of the second washer tube TB along the arm piece 23. This prevents the second washer tube TB from loosening relative to the arm piece 23.

[0029] [Wiper blades] 1 to 4, the wiper blade 30 includes a rubber holder 31 and a blade rubber 32. The rubber holder 31 holds the blade rubber 32, and the longitudinal center of the rubber holder 31 is rotatably connected to the U-shaped hook 23a of the arm piece 23.

[0030] The rubber holder 31 comprises a single connecting member 40, a pair of holders 34, a pair of vertebrae 35, and a pair of caps 36. The connecting member 40 holds the pair of vertebrae 35. A clip member CL is rotatably attached to the connecting member 40, and the U-shaped hook 23a of the arm piece 23 is fixed to the clip member CL. Furthermore, the pair of vertebrae 35 held by the connecting member 40 hold the blade body 32a of the blade rubber 32.

[0031] The pair of holders 34 are arranged on both longitudinal sides (tip and base end sides) of the connecting member 40, and hold a pair of vertebrae 35, just like the connecting member 40. The pair of caps 36 are provided on the opposite side of the pair of holders 34 from the connecting member 40 in the longitudinal direction, and are fixed to the ends of the pair of vertebrae 35. The caps 36 cover and conceal the ends of the holders 34, vertebrae 35, and blade rubber 32, thereby improving the overall appearance of the wiper blade 30.

[0032] [Blade Rubber] 4, the blade rubber 32 includes a blade body 32a held by a pair of vertebrae 35, and a lip portion 32b that comes into sliding contact with the surface of the window glass 11. A neck portion 32c is provided between the blade body 32a and the lip portion 32b. The neck portion 32c is narrower than the lip portion 32b and is more flexible than the lip portion 32b.

[0033] As a result, the lip portion 32b tilts as the blade rubber 32 moves back and forth on the surface of the window glass 11, and as a result, the corner at the tip of the lip portion 32b cleanly wipes away rainwater, dust, etc. adhering to the surface of the window glass 11. In other words, the wiper blade 30 wipes the surface of the window glass 11.

[0034] The surface of the window glass 11 corresponds to the wiping surface in the present invention.

[0035] The blade rubber 32 is provided over the entire longitudinal area of ​​the rubber holder 31, and its cross-sectional shape along the short side is the same over the entire longitudinal area of ​​the blade rubber 32. A pair of grooves 32d extending in the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber 32 is provided on both short sides of the blade body 32a, i.e., on both sides in the wiping direction (the forward and backward sides) of the blade rubber 32. A part of the vertebra 35 in the short side direction (approximately 1 / 3 of the part in the left-right direction in FIG. 4) is inserted into each of these grooves 32d.

[0036] As a result, the blade rubber 32 is held by the connecting member 40 and the holder 34 via the pair of vertebras 35. In other words, the blade rubber 32 is attached to the connecting member 40.

[0037] [Vertebra] The pair of vertebras 35 are formed in the shape of long, thin rods and have the function of leaf springs, and are held by the connecting member 40 and the holder 34. The pair of vertebras 35 are provided over the entire longitudinal area of ​​the rubber holder 31, and their length dimension is approximately equal to the length dimension of the blade rubber 32.

[0038] The pair of vertebrae 35 are curved in advance to a predetermined curvature in a free state where no external force is applied. Specifically, the curvature of the vertebrae 35 is smaller than the curvature of the window glass 11. This allows the entire longitudinal area of ​​the lip portion 32b to conform to the curvature of the window glass 11 and to be in close contact with the surface of the window glass 11. In other words, by making the curvature of the vertebrae 35 smaller than the curvature of the window glass 11, sufficient wiping performance of the blade rubber 32 is ensured.

[0039] In addition, the other portions of the pair of vertebras 35 in the short direction, i.e., the other approximately 2 / 3 portions in the left-right direction of Figure 4 that do not enter the groove portion 32d, are held by a pair of first claw portions 46 and a pair of second claw portions 47 (see Figures 4 and 5) provided on the connecting member 40, and are also held by a pair of holders 34.

[0040] An engagement hole (not shown) is provided at approximately the center in the longitudinal direction of the vertebra 35, and an engagement protrusion 48a (see Figure 5) provided on the connecting member 40 is hooked into the engagement hole. As a result, the pair of vertebras 35 are restricted from moving in the longitudinal direction relative to the connecting member 40.

[0041] Furthermore, cap fixing holes (not shown) are provided on both longitudinal sides of the vertebra 35. Engagement protrusions (not shown) provided on the inside of the cap 36 engage with the cap fixing holes. This allows the cap 36 to be fixed to both longitudinal sides of the vertebra 35. The holder 34 is held by both the connecting member 40 and the cap 36.

[0042] Here, the holder 34 that holds the vertebra 35 is made of a flexible plastic material or the like. This allows the holder 34 to easily elastically deform to follow the curved shape of the vertebra 35. Therefore, the holder 34 does not reduce the wiping performance of the wiper blade 30.

[0043] [Connecting member] 2 to 4, the connecting member 40 is rotatably attached to the U-shaped hook 23a of the arm piece 23 via a clip member CL. In other words, the connecting member 40 is rotatably attached to the wiper arm 20 together with the blade rubber 32.

[0044] 5, the connecting member 40 is formed into a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape by injection molding a resin material such as plastic, and extends in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 30. The connecting member 40 is a part that requires rigidity to hold the pair of vertebras 35, and is made of a plastic material with relatively high hardness.

[0045] The connecting member 40 has a first long side wall portion 41 and a second long side wall portion 42 that extend in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 30 and stand perpendicular to the window glass 11. The first long side wall portion 41 is located on the front side of the vehicle (returning side) when the wiper blade 30 is in the inverted position below the window glass 11. In contrast, the second long side wall portion 42 is located on the rear side of the vehicle (outgoing side) when the wiper blade 30 is in the inverted position below the window glass 11.

[0046] Furthermore, a first bridging portion 43, a second bridging portion 44, and a third bridging portion 45, each formed in a substantially flat plate shape, are provided between the first long side wall portion 41 and the second long side wall portion 42. The first bridging portion 43 is disposed on the distal end side of the connecting member 40 in the longitudinal direction (the left side in FIG. 5). In contrast, the third bridging portion 45 is disposed on the proximal end side of the connecting member 40 in the longitudinal direction (the right side in FIG. 5). The second bridging portion 44 is disposed between the first bridging portion 43 and the third bridging portion 45 in the longitudinal direction of the connecting member 40.

[0047] Furthermore, a connecting pin PN to which the clip member CL is freely swingably connected is provided between the first long side wall portion 41 and the second long side wall portion 42, and between the first bridging portion 43 and the second bridging portion 44 in the longitudinal direction of the connecting member 40.

[0048] Furthermore, a pair of first claws 46 and a pair of second claws 47 are provided on the window glass 11 side (rear side) of the connecting member 40. Specifically, the pair of first claws 46 are arranged at positions corresponding to the first bridging portions 43 in the longitudinal direction of the connecting member 40, and the pair of second claws 47 are arranged at positions corresponding to the second bridging portions 44 in the longitudinal direction of the connecting member 40.

[0049] The pair of first claw portions 46 and the pair of second claw portions 47 are provided on the first long side wall portion 41 and the second long side wall portion 42, respectively, and protrude toward the inside of the connecting member 40. The first claw portions 46 and the second claw portions 47 each hold a pair of vertebrae 35. Specifically, the first claw portions 46 and the second claw portions 47 hold the vertebrae 35 at an interval in the longitudinal direction thereof.

[0050] 5, the second bridging portion 44 of the connecting member 40 is provided with an elastic arm portion 48 extending toward the longitudinal tip side of the connecting member 40. A pair of engaging protrusions 48a is provided on the tip side (left side in FIG. 5) of the elastic arm portion 48. These engaging protrusions 48a each protrude toward the window glass 11 and engage with engaging holes (not shown) provided in the pair of vertebras 35, respectively.

[0051] [Washer unit mounting area] A washer unit mounting portion 49 is provided on the outward side of the second long side wall portion 42. Here, the second long side wall portion 42 is provided on one side of the connecting member 40 in the wiping direction of the blade rubber 32, and corresponds to the one side wall portion in the present invention.

[0052] A washer unit 50 (see FIG. 12) is attached to the washer unit attachment portion 49 of the second long side wall portion 42. In this manner, the washer unit 50, together with the blade rubber 32, is rotatably attached to the wiper arm 20 via the connecting member 40.

[0053] The washer unit mounting portion 49 is provided with a pair of guide rails 49a that slidably guide the washer unit 50. Specifically, the guide rails 49a are formed in a substantially L-shape when the connecting member 40 is viewed from the front and back sides, and extend between the front and back sides of the second long side wall portion 42. The washer unit 50 can be mounted on the connecting member 40 along the guide rails 49a from the front side to the back side.

[0054] The washer unit mounting portion 49 is provided with an abutment portion 49b against which the valve member 70 forming the washer unit 50 abuts. Specifically, the abutment portion 49b protrudes at a predetermined height from the second long side wall portion 42 toward the forward wiping direction of the wiper blade 30. When the washer unit 50 is mounted to the washer unit mounting portion 49, the valve body 71 of the valve member 70 abuts against the abutment portion 49b while elastically deforming. This allows the washer unit 50 to be fixed to the connecting member 40 without rattle.

[0055] Furthermore, on both sides of the abutting portion 49b in the longitudinal direction of the connecting member 40, claw grooves 49c are provided into which tip protrusions 61b (see FIG. 6) provided on the engaging claw portions 61c of the cover member 60 are respectively fitted. A pair of tip protrusions 61b fit into these claw grooves 49c, and hook portions 49d onto which the tip protrusions 61b are hooked are provided on the longitudinal obverse side of the claw grooves 49c. Then, by hooking the pair of tip protrusions 61b onto the pair of hook portions 49d, the washer unit 50 is fixed to the connecting member 40 in a state where it is prevented from coming off.

[0056] A tapered surface TP is provided near the hook portion 49d on the abutment portion 49b to guide the valve body 71 of the valve member 70 as it rides up onto the abutment portion 49b. This allows the valve body 71 of the valve member 70 to easily abut against the abutment portion 49b while being elastically deformed. In other words, the tapered surface TP has the function of improving the ease of assembly of the washer unit 50 to the connecting member 40.

[0057] [Washer unit] 1 to 4, a washer unit 50 is attached to the second long side wall portion 42 (outward side) of the connecting member 40. The washer unit 50 sprays washer fluid W (first washer fluid W1 to fourth washer fluid W4) toward the surface of the window glass 11, and includes a cover member 60, a valve member 70, and a pipe connection member 80, as shown in FIGS.

[0058] 1, the washer unit 50 sprays the washer fluid W flowing through the second washer tube TB at different positions in the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber 32 on one side (the forward path) of the wiping direction of the blade rubber 32. Specifically, the washer fluid W is branched into four parts, a first washer fluid W1 to a fourth washer fluid W4, inside the washer unit 50.

[0059] [Cover material] 6, the cover member 60 is formed in a generally box shape from a resin material such as plastic, and includes a cover main body 61 and a piping connection member fixing portion 62. Specifically, the cover main body 61 is disposed on the window glass 11 side (rear side) of the cover member 60, and the piping connection member fixing portion 62 is disposed on the opposite side of the cover member 60 from the window glass 11 side (front side).

[0060] Engagement portions 61a that engage with a pair of guide rails 49a (see FIG. 5) of the washer unit mounting portion 49 are provided on both longitudinal sides (tip end side and base end side) of the cover main body 61. Specifically, each engagement portion 61a protrudes at a predetermined height toward both longitudinal sides of the cover member 60.

[0061] The cover member 60 is disposed opposite the second long side wall portion 42 (the washer unit mounting portion 49) and corresponds to the first mounting member in the present invention.

[0062] A pair of engagement claws 61c having tip protrusions 61b are provided on the inside of the cover body 61. These engagement claws 61c are flexible in the thickness direction of the cover body 61, i.e., in the wiping direction of the blade rubber 32 (see FIGS. 2 and 4). The tip protrusions 61b of the engagement claws 61c fit into the claw grooves 49c (see FIG. 5) of the washer unit mounting part 49 and are hooked onto the hook portions 49d (see FIG. 14).

[0063] Furthermore, the cover body 61 has on its inner side a cover member first surface CF1 against which a valve member first surface BF1 (see FIG. 7) forming the valve body 71 of the valve member 70 abuts. The cover body 61 also has on its inner side a cover member second surface CF2 against which a valve member second surface BF2 (see FIG. 7) forming the valve body 71 of the valve member 70 abuts.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 6, the cover member side first surface CF1 is indicated by a light-colored hatching, and the cover member side second surface CF2 is indicated by a dark-colored hatching.

[0065] Specifically, the cover member side first surface CF1 extends straight along the longitudinal direction of the cover body 61, and the cover member side second surface CF2 is inclined at a predetermined angle relative to the longitudinal direction of the cover body 61. A valve chamber RM that houses a check valve 72 (see FIG. 7) of the valve member 70 is provided in a space approximately in the center inside the cover member 60.

[0066] Additionally, the cover member-side first surface CF1 and the cover member-side second surface CF2 are provided with a first groove G1, a second groove G2, a third groove G3, and a fourth groove G4 that branch the washer fluid W that has passed through the check valve 72 into four washer fluids, a first washer fluid W1 to a fourth washer fluid W4. The first groove G1 to the fourth groove G4 form a part of a first flow path FP1, a second flow path FP2, a third flow path FP3, and a fourth flow path FP4 through which the first washer fluid W1 to the fourth washer fluid W4 flow.

[0067] Here, the second groove G2 and the third groove G3 are integrated into one groove on the valve chamber RM side (upstream side). The first groove G1 is provided on the cover member-side second surface CF2. These first groove G1 to fourth groove G4 are all recessed to a predetermined depth from the cover member-side first surface CF1 and the cover member-side second surface CF2 toward the outgoing wiping direction of the blade rubber 32.

[0068] 6, an arc-shaped recess 62a is provided on the longitudinal tip side (right side in the figure) of the pipe connecting member fixing portion 62. Furthermore, a first fixing claw 62b and a second fixing claw 62c are provided on the longitudinal base end side (left side in the figure) of the pipe connecting member fixing portion 62.

[0069] Specifically, the rotatable fixing portion 83 (see FIG. 8) of the pipe connection member 80 is inserted into the arc-shaped recess 62a, and the arc-shaped recess 62a rotatably supports the rotatable fixing portion 83. The first and second fixing claws 62b, 62c are arranged at different positions in the longitudinal direction of the pipe connection member fixing portion 62. The first fixing claw 62b is fitted into and fixed in a first hooking recess 81b (see FIG. 8) provided in the pipe connection main body 81 of the pipe connection member 80. Meanwhile, the second fixing claw 62c is fitted into and fixed in a second hooking recess 81c (see FIG. 8) provided in the pipe connection main body 81 of the pipe connection member 80.

[0070] Of the first and second fixed claws 62b, 62c, the first fixed claw 62b is elastically movable in the wiping direction of the blade rubber 32 (see FIG. 4). Specifically, the first fixed claw 62b is movable relative to the second fixed claw 62c due to the load of an external force.

[0071] As a result, by inserting the rotating fixing portion 83 into the arc-shaped recess 62a and fixing the first and second fixing claws 62b, 62c of the piping connection member fixing portion 62 to the first and second hooking recesses 81b, 81c of the piping connection main body 81, respectively, the piping connection member 80 is fixed to the cover member 60.

[0072] [Valve components] 7, the valve member 70 is made of a resin material such as silicone rubber, and includes a valve body 71 and a check valve 72 that is integral with the valve body 71. In other words, the valve member 70 is flexibly and elastically deformable, and the hardness of the valve member 70 is lower than the hardness of the cover member 60.

[0073] The valve body 71 is formed in a generally flat plate shape, and is provided with a valve member first surface BF1 and a valve member second surface BF2 on the forward wiping direction side of the blade rubber 32 (see FIG. 4). Here, as shown in FIG. 7, the valve member first surface BF1 is shown in a light shaded area, and the valve member second surface BF2 is shown in a dark shaded area.

[0074] The valve member 70 corresponds to the second mounting member in this invention, and the valve body 71 corresponds to the main body portion in this invention.

[0075] When the washer unit 50 is assembled, the valve body 71 is positioned between the second long side wall portion 42 of the connecting member 40 and the cover body 61 of the cover member 60, and is fixed to both the second long side wall portion 42 and the cover body 61.

[0076] Specifically, the valve member-side first surface BF1 abuts against the cover member-side first surface CF1 (see FIG. 6) on the inside of the cover body 61, and they are brought into close contact with each other. As a result, the second recessed groove G2 to the fourth recessed groove G4 (see FIG. 6) of the cover body 61 are covered by the valve member-side first surface BF1 of the valve body 71. Therefore, second flow paths FP2 to fourth flow paths FP4 (see FIG. 6) through which the second washer fluid W2 to the fourth washer fluid W4 flow are formed inside the washer unit 50.

[0077] Furthermore, when the washer unit 50 is assembled, the valve member-side second surface BF2 abuts against the cover member-side second surface CF2 (see FIG. 6) on the inside of the cover body 61, and they are brought into close contact with each other. As a result, the first recessed groove G1 (see FIG. 6) of the cover body 61 is covered by the valve member-side second surface BF2 of the valve body 71. Therefore, a first flow path FP1 (see FIG. 6) through which the first washer fluid W1 flows is formed inside the washer unit 50.

[0078] In this manner, the first to fourth flow paths FP1 to FP4 are formed by covering the first to fourth grooves G1 to G4 with the first valve-member-side surface BF1 and the second valve-member-side surface BF2 of the valve body 71 of the valve member 70. That is, the first to fourth flow paths FP1 to FP4, through which the first to fourth washer fluids W1 to W4 flow, are disposed between the cover member 60 and the valve member 70.

[0079] The first flow path FP1 to the fourth flow path FP4 correspond to the flow paths in the present invention.

[0080] The check valve 72 is provided to protrude from the valve body 71 on the side where the valve member first surface BF1 and the valve member second surface BF2 are provided (the outward passage side). When the washer unit 50 is in an assembled state, the check valve 72 is housed in a valve chamber RM (see FIG. 6) of the cover member 60. The check valve 72 is formed to be hollow and elastically deformable, and can be opened and closed inside the valve chamber RM, that is, between the second long side wall portion 42 of the connecting member 40 and the cover member 60. In this way, the hollow check valve 72 is disposed upstream of the first to fourth flow paths FP1 to FP4.

[0081] Specifically, the check valve 72 includes a base 72a formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a valve body 72b protruding from the base 72a toward the window glass 11 (rear side). An opening OP is formed on the side of the base 72a opposite to the valve body 72b side (front side), into which an insertion portion 81e (see FIG. 8) of a pipe connection member 80 is inserted.

[0082] Here, on the entrance side of the opening OP where the insertion portion 81e is inserted, as shown in the [front side] of FIG. 7, an opening side tapered portion TP1 is formed to guide the connection (insertion) of the insertion portion 81e.

[0083] In addition, the outlet side of the valve body 72b is located upstream of the first flow path FP1 to the fourth flow path FP4, and the washer fluid W flowing out from the valve body 72b flows through the first flow path FP1 to the fourth flow path FP4 and becomes the first washer fluid W1 to the fourth washer fluid W4.

[0084] A first injection hole H1, a second injection hole H2, a third injection hole H3, and a fourth injection hole H4 (see FIGS. 12 and 13) are provided downstream of the first flow path FP1 to the fourth flow path FP4 formed inside the washer unit 50. In other words, the washer unit 50 has a total of four injection holes, the first injection hole H1 to the fourth injection hole H4.

[0085] Here, the second to fourth injection holes H2 to H4 inject the second to fourth washer fluids W2 to W4, respectively, on one wiping direction side (forward path side) of the blade rubber 32 and near the blade rubber 32. In contrast, the first injection hole H1 injects the first washer fluid W1 on one wiping direction side (forward path side) of the blade rubber 32 and at a position distant from the blade rubber 32. As shown in Fig. 1, these first to fourth injection holes H1 to H4 inject the first to fourth washer fluids W1 to W4 to different positions in the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber 32.

[0086] 1, the first washer fluid W1 is sprayed at a position distant from the longitudinal tip end of the rubber blade 32, and the fourth washer fluid W4 is sprayed at a position distant from the longitudinal base end of the rubber blade 32. This is because, when the wiper device 10 swings, the longitudinal tip end of the rubber blade 32 moves faster than the longitudinal base end of the rubber blade 32. By differentiating the spray positions between the longitudinal tip end and the longitudinal base end of the rubber blade 32, dust and other particles adhering to the surface of the window glass 11 can be sufficiently moistened, improving cleaning performance.

[0087] As shown in Figures 2, 3, 12 and 13, these first to fourth injection holes H1 to H4 are positioned closer to the surface of the window glass 11 than the connecting pin PN that connects the wiper arm 20 and the connecting member 40.

[0088] 2 is the axis of the connecting pin PN, and the first to fourth injection holes H1 to H4 are arranged closer to the surface of the window glass 11 than the axis C. As a result, the first to fourth washer fluid W1 to W4 injected from the first to fourth injection holes H1 to H4 reach the surface of the window glass 11 after passing a relatively short injection distance. This prevents the injection position from being significantly displaced by wind while the vehicle is traveling.

[0089] As shown in Fig. 7, the valve body 72b employs a so-called duckbill valve structure. That is, the valve body 72b has a simple check valve structure that does not include a valve body or coil spring for opening and closing the flow path. The valve body 72b also extends to both ends (the tip end and the base end) of the wiper blade 30 in the longitudinal direction. This prevents the washer unit 50 from becoming larger on both sides (the forward and backward wiping sides) of the blade rubber 32 in the wiping direction.

[0090] Specifically, on the outlet side of the valve body 72b, i.e., downstream side of the valve body 72b in the flow direction of the washer fluid W, an openable and closable slit SL is provided in the valve chest RM between the second long side wall portion 42 and the cover member 60. The slit SL is surrounded by a pair of first opposing walls WL1 opposed to each other in the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber 32 and a pair of second opposing walls WL2 opposed to each other in the wiping direction of the blade rubber 32.

[0091] The thickness t1 of the first opposing wall WL1 along the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber 32 is greater than the thickness t2 of the second opposing wall WL2 along the wiping direction of the blade rubber 32 (t1>t2). As a result, the valve body 72b is elastically deformed against its own restoring force as the internal pressure increases, and can open in the wiping direction of the blade rubber 32, as shown by the dashed arrow Open in Figure 7.

[0092] Here, when the internal pressure of the check valve 72 increases (when the washer pump is driven), the slit SL opens against the restoring force of the check valve 72. Also, when the internal pressure of the check valve 72 decreases (when the washer pump is stopped), the slit SL is closed by the restoring force of the check valve 72. The opening and closing operation of the valve body 72b will be described in detail later.

[0093] [Pipe connection parts] 8, the pipe connection member 80 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape from a resin material such as plastic, and includes a pipe connection main body 81. A tube connection portion 82 extending in the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber 32 and connected to the second washer tube TB (see FIG. 3) is provided on the longitudinal base end side of the pipe connection main body 81. A rotation fixing portion 83 to be inserted into the arc-shaped recess 62a (see FIG. 6) of the cover member 60 is provided on the longitudinal tip side of the pipe connection main body 81, i.e., on the opposite side of the pipe connection member 80 from the tube connection portion 82 side in the longitudinal direction.

[0094] Here, the pipe connection member 80 is attached to the cover member 60 and has the function of supplying the washer fluid W flowing through the second washer tube TB provided along the wiper arm 20 to the first flow path FP1 to the fourth flow path FP4. Like the cover member 60, the pipe connection member 80 is made of a plastic or the like that is harder than the valve member 70.

[0095] The tube connecting portion 82 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and a longitudinal tip side of the tube connecting portion 82 is integrally connected to a longitudinal base end side of the pipe connection main body 81. A flange portion 82a that bulges outward in the radial direction is provided on the longitudinal base end side of the tube connecting portion 82. This prevents the second washer tube TB connected to the tube connecting portion 82 from coming off. The washer fluid W that flows from the second washer tube TB into the tube connecting portion 82 passes through a distribution flow path PS (see FIG. 9) inside the pipe connection main body 81 and reaches the first flow path FP1 to the fourth flow path FP4 from inside the check valve 72.

[0096] 8, the rotation fixing portion 83 is formed in a roughly half-cylindrical shape and is provided integrally at the longitudinal tip end of the pipe connection body 81. Specifically, the rotation fixing portion 83 is provided to protrude from the longitudinal tip end of the pipe connection body 81, and its axis R extends in the wiping direction (forward and backward directions) of the wiper blade 30.

[0097] As a result, the rotatable fixing portion 83 inserted into the arc-shaped recess 62a (see FIG. 6) of the cover member 60 is rotatable around the axis R (see FIG. 16). In other words, as shown in FIG. 16, the pipe connecting member 80 is rotatable relative to the cover member 60 around the rotatable fixing portion 83.

[0098] The pipe connection body 81 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and extends in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 30. A first hooking recess 81b and a second hooking recess 81c are provided on the side where the front side surface 81a of the pipe connection body 81 is provided. Specifically, the first hooking recess 81b and the second hooking recess 81c are arranged at different positions in the longitudinal direction of the pipe connection body 81. The first fixing claw 62b (see FIG. 6) of the cover member 60 is hooked into the first hooking recess 81b. Meanwhile, the second fixing claw 62c (see FIG. 6) of the cover member 60 is hooked into the second hooking recess 81c.

[0099] An insertion portion 81e is provided on the side where the back side surface 81d of the pipe connection body 81 is provided. The insertion portion 81e is disposed between the tube connection portion 82 and the rotation fixing portion 83 in the longitudinal direction of the pipe connection member 80, and extends in a direction (from the front side to the back side) intersecting the longitudinal direction of the tube connection portion 82. Specifically, the insertion portion 81e protrudes from the back side surface 81d toward the window glass 11 (back side) at a predetermined height.

[0100] The insertion portion 81e is formed in a generally oval shape, and when the washer unit 50 is assembled, it is inserted and fixed into an opening OP (see FIG. 7) provided in the base 72a of the valve member 70. That is, the insertion portion 81e is inserted into the opening OP of the base 72a from the front side to the back side of the washer unit 50. As a result, the washer fluid W flowing through the flow passage PS inside the pipe connection member 80 flows into the inside of the check valve 72 (the base 72a and the valve body 72b).

[0101] As shown in the rear perspective view of FIG. 8, an insertion-portion-side tapered portion TP2 that guides connection (insertion) into the opening OP is formed on the tip side, which is the insertion side, of the insertion portion 81e.

[0102] In this way, the insertion portion side tapered portion TP2 of the insertion portion 81e cooperates with the opening side tapered portion TP1 of the opening OP to guide the connection between the insertion portion 81e and the opening OP, making it easy to connect the insertion portion 81e and the opening OP.

[0103] [Washer fluid flow path] Next, the flow path of the washer fluid W in the wiper blade 30 formed as above, particularly within the washer unit 50, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0104] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the portion B circled by the broken line in FIG. 4, showing the operation of the valve body.

[0105] First, an operator operates a washer switch (not shown) installed inside the vehicle to activate the washer pump. Then, as shown in Fig. 1, washer fluid W is supplied into the second washer tube TB via the first piping connection member 21b. Then, the washer fluid W supplied into the second washer tube TB is supplied into the washer unit 50.

[0106] Next, as indicated by the dashed arrow in [Washer Pump Operation] in Fig. 9, the washer fluid W supplied to the inside of the washer unit 50 flows through the flow passage PS of the pipe connection member 80 and is supplied to the inside of the base 72a and the valve body 72b that form the check valve 72 of the valve member 70. Then, the internal pressure P1 of the valve body 72b becomes greater than the external pressure P2 on the downstream side (P1>P2).

[0107] As a result, the flexible valve body 72b is opened (valve opened) as shown by the dashed arrow "Open" against the restoring force of the valve body 72b itself. Specifically, the opening direction of the valve body 72b is on both sides of the wiping direction of the blade rubber 32 (the forward and backward directions), as shown in FIG.

[0108] The washer fluid W that flows out downstream of the valve body 72b flows into the valve chamber RM inside the cover member 60, and then branches into the first to fourth flow paths FP1 to FP4 as shown in Fig. 6. As a result, the washer fluid W becomes the first to fourth washer fluid W1 to W4, and is sprayed toward the surface of the window glass 11 from the first to fourth injection holes H1 to H4 (see Figs. 12 and 13).

[0109] After the surface of the windshield 11 is washed, the operator stops operating the washer switch, which stops the washer pump. This results in the state shown in "Washer Pump Stopped" in FIG. 9. Specifically, washer fluid W remains inside the pipe connection member 80 and the valve member 70 of the washer unit 50, including inside the second washer tube TB (see FIG. 1) (see the shaded area). This is because the washer pump is stopped, the internal pressure P1 of the valve body 72b drops, and the valve body 72b is closed (closed) by its own restoring force. Specifically, the closing operation of the valve body 72b prevents air from flowing back into the valve body 72b, as shown by the dashed arrow "X" in FIG. 9.

[0110] This allows the first to fourth washer fluid W1 to W4 to be quickly sprayed from the first to fourth spray holes H1 to H4 toward the surface of the window glass 11 the next time the washer pump is driven (improved responsiveness).

[0111] [Assembly Instructions] Next, a method for assembling the wiper blade 30 formed as described above, in particular, a procedure for attaching (fixing) the washer unit 50 to the connecting member 40 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0112] Figure 10 is an exploded oblique view of the washer unit, Figure 11 is a diagram showing the assembly procedure for the nozzle assembly, Figure 12 is an oblique view of the nozzle assembly from the valve member side, Figure 13 is a diagram showing the procedure for attaching the nozzle assembly to the connecting member, Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the fixing portion between the nozzle assembly and the connecting member, Figure 15 is an oblique view showing the procedure for assembling the piping connecting member to the nozzle assembly, and Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view showing the procedure for assembling the piping connecting member to the nozzle assembly.

[0113] First, as shown in Fig. 10, a cover member 60, a valve member 70, and a pipe connection member 80 manufactured through separate manufacturing processes are prepared. Here, Fig. 10 shows the connecting member 40 alone to which the washer unit 50 is attached, but it is also possible to attach the blade rubber 32 (see Fig. 4) or the like to the connecting member 40 in advance.

[0114] 10 and 11, the cover member 60 and the valve member 70 are butted against each other in the wiping direction of the blade rubber 32. Specifically, the check valve 72 of the valve member 70 is inserted into the valve chamber RM of the cover member 60, and the valve member-side first surface BF1 of the valve member 70 is butted against the cover member-side first surface CF1 of the cover member 60. In addition, the valve member-side second surface BF2 of the valve member 70 is butted against the cover member-side second surface CF2 of the cover member 60.

[0115] This completes the assembly of the cover member 60 and the valve member 70, and the nozzle assembly NA is completed as shown in Figure 12. Here, the cover member 60 is made of a resin material such as plastic that is harder than the valve member 70, which is made of silicone rubber or the like, so the first groove G1 to the fourth groove G4 of the cover member 60 themselves will not deform.

[0116] Furthermore, the valve member first surface BF1 and the valve member second surface BF2 only cover the first groove G1 to the fourth groove G4 and are not strongly pressed against the cover member first surface CF1 and the cover member second surface CF2. Therefore, the flow path areas of the first flow path FP1 to the fourth flow path FP4 do not change significantly, and there is no variation in the spray amounts of the first to fourth washer fluids W1 to W4 (see FIG. 1) between products.

[0117] 10 and 13, the completed nozzle assembly NA is attached to the washer unit attachment portion 49 of the connecting member 40. Specifically, the valve member 70 side of the nozzle assembly NA is oriented to face the washer unit attachment portion 49, and in this state, the nozzle assembly NA is brought to face the front side (upper side in the figure) of the connecting member 40. Then, the engaging portion 61a of the cover member 60 is engaged with the guide rail 49a of the washer unit attachment portion 49.

[0118] Thereafter, cover member 60 is slid relative to washer unit mounting portion 49, and this sliding movement is continued. Then, as shown in Fig. 14, tip convex portions 61b forming engaging claw portions 61c of cover member 60 move over tapered surface TP, enter claw grooves 49c, and are hooked onto hook portions 49d, respectively.

[0119] This places the cover member 60 in a locked state (Lock) relative to the connecting member 40, completing the assembly of the nozzle assembly NA to the washer unit mounting portion 49. At this time, the valve body 71 (see FIG. 14) of the valve member 70 is sandwiched between the abutment portion 49b of the washer unit mounting portion 49 and the cover member-side first surface CF1 and the cover member-side second surface CF2 of the cover member 60 while being slightly elastically deformed. Therefore, the valve body 71 also functions as a buffer material, thereby preventing the cover member 60 from rattling relative to the connecting member 40.

[0120] Next, as shown by dashed arrow M3 in Figures 10 and 15, the pivotable fixing portion 83 of the pipe connecting member 80 is brought into contact with the arc-shaped recess 62a (see Figures 6 and 11) of the cover member 60. At this time, the pipe connecting member 80 is tilted with respect to the longitudinal direction of the connecting member 40, and in this state, is brought into contact with the front side of the connecting member 40. As a result, the pivotable fixing portion 83 of the pipe connecting member 80 is engaged with the arc-shaped recess 62a of the cover member 60, as shown in the dashed line portion in Figure 16.

[0121] 15 and 16 , the pipe connecting member 80 is rotated (tilted) about the axis R so as to be tilted relative to the cover member 60. Then, the first fixing claw 62b of the pipe connecting member fixing portion 62 is hooked into the first hooking recess 81b of the pipe connecting main body 81, and the second fixing claw 62c of the pipe connecting member fixing portion 62 is hooked into the second hooking recess 81c of the pipe connecting main body 81.

[0122] 9 and 16, the insertion portion 81e of the pipe connection member 80 is inserted into and fixed to the opening OP while elastically deforming the base 72a of the check valve 72, completing the washer unit 50. At this time, the pipe connection member 80 is pressed against the base 72a while elastically deforming the base 72a, so that the base 72a also functions as a buffer material. This prevents the pipe connection member 80 from rattling against the cover member 60.

[0123] When the first fixed claw 62b is fixed to the first hooking recess 81b and the second fixed claw 62c is fixed to the second hooking recess 81c while the rotating fixing portion 83 is supported by the arc-shaped recess 62a, the movement of the piping connection member 80 is restricted in the longitudinal direction and the wiping direction of the blade rubber 32 relative to the piping connection member fixing portion 62. Therefore, the insertion portion 81e and the opening OP can be easily connected without visually checking either of them (improved assembly).

[0124] This completes the assembly of the wiper blade 30. Note that in Figure 16, the blade rubber 32 (see Figure 4) and the like are not shown.

[0125] Thereafter, the completed wiper blade 30 is attached to the arm piece 23 via the clip member CL (see FIG. 3), while the tip end of the second washer tube TB is connected to the tube connection portion 82 of the pipe connection member 80. This completes the assembly of the wiper device 10.

[0126] In addition, the tip of the second washer tube TB can be connected to the tube connection portion 82 of the piping connection member 80 in advance, and after attaching the connecting member 40 to the arm piece 23, the piping connection member 80 to which the second washer tube TB is connected can be attached to the cover member 60.

[0127] [Variation 1] Next, modified examples of the valve member will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0128] It should be noted that parts having the same functions as the above-described valve member 70 (see FIG. 7) are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0129] FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the valve member.

[0130] As shown in Figure 17, the modified valve member 90 differs from the valve member 70 (see Figure 7) only in that the valve body 71 (white portion) and the check valve 72 (shaded portion) have different hardnesses. Specifically, the valve body 71 and the check valve 72 are both made of a resin material such as silicone rubber, but the hardness of the check valve 72 is lower than the hardness of the valve body 71. In other words, the hardness of the valve body 72b is lower than the hardness of the valve body 71.

[0131] The valve member 90 corresponds to the second mounting member in this invention.

[0132] This makes it easier to open check valve 72, preventing a heavy load from being placed on the washer pump. On the other hand, if check valve 72 is made too soft, the washer fluid W inside check valve 72 will leak out when the washer pump is stopped, resulting in a decrease in responsiveness the next time washer fluid W is sprayed. Therefore, it is desirable to set the hardness of check valve 72 appropriately according to the specifications required for washer unit 50 (see FIG. 4).

[0133] As for the manufacturing method of the valve member 90, the valve body 71 and the check valve 72 may be molded separately, and then the protrusion PR (see Figure 17) of the check valve 72 may be fitted into the mounting hole HL (see Figure 17) of the valve body 71 to fix them, or the check valve 72 may be bonded to the valve body 71 with an adhesive or the like.

[0134] Furthermore, the valve body 71 and the check valve 72 may be molded in advance as a single unit by two-shot molding.

[0135] [Variation 2] As another modification, the material of the valve body 71 can be the same material (a resin material such as plastic) as the material of the cover member 60. In this case, since the resin valve body 71 and the resin cover member 60 are butted together to form the first flow path FP1 to the fourth flow path FP4, it is desirable to weld the valve body 71 and the cover member 60 to each other in order to prevent leakage of the washer fluid W.

[0136] Specifically, it is desirable to weld only the vicinity of the valve chamber RM and the first to fourth grooves G1 to G4 of the cover member 60. This prevents deformation of the cover member 60 and the valve body 71 due to heat and also reduces the manufacturing energy required for the welding process.

[0137] [Variation 3] Next, modified examples of the connecting member will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0138] The same reference numerals are used to designate parts having the same functions as those in the above-described embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0139] FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a modified example in which washer units are provided on the outgoing and returning sides of the connecting member.

[0140] 18, in the modified connecting member 100, a washer unit 50 is also attached to the first long side wall portion 41 arranged on the forward path side of the connecting member 100. In other words, in the modified example shown in FIG. 18, the first to fourth washer fluids W1 to W4 (see FIG. 2) can be sprayed on both the forward path side and the backward path side of the blade rubber 32 (see FIG. 2).

[0141] Therefore, when the blade rubber 32 wipes back and forth, it is possible to prevent the washer fluid W from running short on both the forward and backward directions.

[0142] Specifically, the washer unit 50 on the outgoing path (near side in the figure) and the washer unit 50 on the returning path (far side in the figure) have the same structure. However, the washer unit 50 on the outgoing path and the washer unit 50 on the returning path are formed to be mirror images of each other with the connecting member 100 in between.

[0143] As described above in detail, according to this embodiment, the wiper arm 20 includes the connecting member 40 rotatably attached to the connecting member 40, the rubber blade 32 attached to the connecting member 40 and brought into sliding contact with the surface of the windshield 11, and the washer unit 50 attached to the second long side wall 42 of the connecting member 40 in the wiping direction of the rubber blade 32 and spraying the first to fourth washer fluids W1 to W4 toward the surface of the windshield 11. The washer unit 50 includes the cover member 60 disposed opposite the second long side wall 42, and the cover member 60 and the rubber blade 32 are disposed between the second long side wall 42 and the cover member 60. The valve member 70 is arranged between the cover member 60 and the valve member 70, and first flow paths FP1 to fourth flow paths FP4 are arranged between the cover member 60 and the valve member 70 and through which the first washer fluid W1 to fourth washer fluid W4 flow. The valve member 70 is arranged upstream of the first flow paths FP1 to fourth flow paths FP4 and is equipped with an elastically deformable hollow check valve 72. The check valve 72 has a slit SL which opens against the restoring force of the check valve 72 when the internal pressure P1 of the check valve 72 increases, and which is closed by the restoring force of the check valve 72 when the internal pressure P1 of the check valve 72 decreases.

[0144] This allows the check valve 72 to have a simple check valve structure that does not include a valve body or coil spring for opening and closing the flow path, while still allowing the first to fourth washer fluid W1 to W4 to be quickly sprayed from the first to fourth spray holes H1 to H4 toward the surface of the windshield 11. This improves the ease of assembly of the wiper blade 30 and makes it possible to reduce the size of the washer unit 50.

[0145] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the valve member 70 is disposed between the second long side wall portion 42 and the cover member 60 and includes a valve body 71 having a check valve 72 integrally formed therewith, and the slit SL formed in the check valve 72 can be opened and closed between the second long side wall portion 42 and the cover member 60, and the hardness of the check valve 72 is lower than the hardness of the valve body 71 (see the modified example in Figure 17).

[0146] This makes it possible to easily open the valve body 72b, and prevents a large load from being placed on the washer pump.

[0147] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the slit SL is formed by being surrounded by a pair of first opposing walls WL1 that face each other in the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber 32 and a pair of second opposing walls WL2 that face each other in the wiping direction of the blade rubber 32, and the thickness t1 of the first opposing wall WL1 along the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber 32 is thicker than the thickness t2 of the second opposing wall WL2 along the wiping direction of the blade rubber 32.

[0148] This allows the valve body 72b to be opened in the wiping direction of the blade rubber 32 in response to an increase in internal pressure, and allows the valve body 72b to have a simple, so-called duckbill valve structure.

[0149] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the structure of check valve 72 can be simplified to improve the ease of assembly and reduce the size of washer unit 50. This makes it possible to suppress increases in manufacturing energy consumption, and ultimately achieves the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the United Nations, particularly Goal 7 (Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all) and Goal 13 (Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts).

[0150] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, a total of four injection holes (first injection hole H1 to fourth injection hole H4) are shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of injection holes can be set to a total of three or less, or a total of five or more.

[0151] In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, only the portion of the cover member 60 where the first groove G1 is located, i.e., only the portion of the cover member-side second surface CF2, is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the cover body 61, and as shown in FIG. 7, only the portion of the valve body 71 that covers the first groove G1, i.e., only the portion of the valve body 71 where the valve member-side second surface BF2 is located, is inclined to match the inclination of the cover member-side second surface CF2.

[0152] The present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to incline only the portion of the cover member 60 where the fourth groove G4 is disposed, to incline both portions of the cover member 60 where the first and fourth grooves G1, G4 are disposed, or to extend both portions of the cover member 60 where the first and fourth grooves G1, G4 are disposed straight along the longitudinal direction of the cover body 61. In this case, the shape of the valve body 71 side is also changed so that it can cover the portions where the first and fourth grooves G1, G4 are disposed.

[0153] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, as shown in Figure 10, the assembly is shown to be carried out in the following steps: first, the cover member 60 and the valve member 70 are butted against each other (see dashed arrow M1), second, the nozzle assembly NA is attached to the connecting member 40 (see dashed arrow M2), and third, the piping connection member 80 is attached to the cover member 60 (see dashed arrow M3).

[0154] The present invention is not limited to this, and assembly can also be carried out in the following steps: first, the cover member 60 and the valve member 70 are butted together; second, the piping connection member 80 is attached to the cover member 60; and third, the nozzle assembly NA with the piping connection member 80 attached is attached to the connecting member 40.

[0155] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the wiper blade 30 is used in a vehicle such as an automobile, but the present invention is not limited to this and can also be used in, for example, an aircraft, a railway vehicle, construction machinery, and the like.

[0156] Furthermore, the material, shape, size, number, installation location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary as long as they can achieve the present invention, and are not limited to the above-described embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0157] 10: wiper device, 11: window glass, 20: wiper arm, 21: arm head, 21a: drive shaft fixing portion, 21b: first piping connection member, 21c: shank connecting portion, 22: arm shank, 22a: head connecting portion, 22b: piece fixing portion, 23: arm piece, 23a: U-shaped hook, 23b: holding member, 30: wiper blade, 31: rubber holder, 32: blade rubber, 32a: blade body, 32b: lip portion, 32c: neck portion, 32d: groove portion, 34: holder, 35: vertebra, 36: cap, 40: connecting member, 41: first length Side wall portion, 42: second long side wall portion (side wall portion), 43: first bridging portion, 44: second bridging portion, 45: third bridging portion, 46: first claw portion, 47: second claw portion, 48: elastic arm portion, 48a: engaging protrusion portion, 49: washer unit mounting portion, 49a: guide rail, 49b: abutment portion, 49c: claw groove, 49d: hook portion, 50: washer unit, 60: cover member (first mounting member), 61: cover main body, 61a: engaging portion, 61b: tip protrusion portion, 61c: engaging claw portion, 62: piping connection member fixing portion, 62a: arc-shaped recess, 62b: first fixing claw, 62c: second fixing claw, 70: valve member ( second mounting member), 71: valve body (main body portion), 72: check valve, 72a: base portion, 72b: valve body, 80: piping connection member, 81: piping connection body, 81a: front side surface, 81b: first hook recess, 81c: second hook recess, 81d: back side surface, 81e: insertion portion, 82: tube connection portion, 82a: flange portion, 83: rotating fixing portion, 90: valve member (second mounting member), 100: connecting member, BF1: first surface on valve member side, BF2: second surface on valve member side, CF1: first surface on cover member side, CF2: second surface on cover member side, CL: clip member, FP1 to FP4: first flow path to fourth flow path Flow path (flow path), G1 to G4: 1st to 4th grooves, H1 to H4: 1st to 4th injection holes, HL: mounting hole, NA: nozzle assembly, OP: opening, P1: internal pressure, P2: external pressure, PN: connecting pin, PR: protrusion, PS: distribution flow path, RM: valve chamber, SH: drive shaft, SL: slit, SP: tension spring, TB: second washer tube, TP: tapered surface, TP1: opening side tapered section, TP2: insertion side tapered section, W: washer fluid (cleaning fluid), W1 to W4: 1st to 4th washer fluid (cleaning fluid), WL1: 1st opposing wall, WL2: 2nd opposing wall

Claims

1. A wiper blade attached to a wiper arm that is swung by a drive shaft and that wipes a surface to be wiped, a connecting member rotatably attached to the wiper arm; a blade rubber attached to the connecting member and brought into sliding contact with the wiping surface; a washer unit attached to at least one side wall of the connecting member in the wiping direction of the blade rubber, and configured to spray cleaning fluid toward the wiping surface; Equipped with The washer unit includes: a first mounting member disposed opposite the side wall portion; a second mounting member disposed between the side wall portion and the first mounting member; a flow path disposed between the first mounting member and the second mounting member, through which the cleaning liquid flows; and the second mounting member is disposed upstream of the flow path and includes an elastically deformable hollow check valve; The check valve has a slit, The slit is When the internal pressure of the check valve increases, the check valve is opened against the restoring force of the check valve, When the internal pressure of the check valve decreases, the check valve is closed by its restoring force. Wiper blade.

2. The wiper blade according to claim 1, the second mounting member is disposed between the side wall portion and the first mounting member and includes a main body portion integrally provided with the check valve; the slit provided in the check valve is openable and closable between the side wall portion and the first mounting member, The hardness of the check valve is lower than the hardness of the main body portion. Wiper blade.

3. The wiper blade according to claim 1 or 2, The slit is a pair of first opposing walls opposing each other in the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber; a pair of second opposing walls opposing each other in the wiping direction of the blade rubber; It is surrounded by and formed by a thickness of the first opposing wall along the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber is greater than a thickness of the second opposing wall along the wiping direction of the blade rubber; Wiper blade.

Images