Wiper device

Abstract

To prevent a wiper blade from being detached from a wiper arm against the user's intention while securing maintainability.SOLUTION: A wiper arm 30 and a wiper blade 40 are turned with turning angle of β degree centered on axis CT when being wiped. The wiper arm 30 and the wiper blade 40 include first and second tip side abutment parts 53a, 54a and first and second tip side inclined planes 65a, 66a which are abutted on each other when turning in one direction by exceeding the turning angle of β degree and first and second base end side abutment parts 53b, 54b and first and second base end side inclined planes 65b, 66b which are abutted on each other when turning in other direction by exceeding the turning angle of β degree.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wiper device including a wiper arm and a wiper blade. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a wiper device in which a connecting shaft is provided on a wiper arm and a groove is provided on a wiper blade. The wiper device described in Patent Document 1 employs a connecting structure in which the connecting shaft of the wiper arm is rotatably connected to the groove of the wiper blade by a snap fit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-089242 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, when removing a wiper blade from a wiper arm, a pair of claws forming a groove are bent to pull the connecting shaft out of the groove. Therefore, by weakening the rigidity of the claws, the wiper blade can be easily removed from the wiper arm. On the other hand, weakening the rigidity of the claws can make the wiper blade more likely to come off the wiper arm unintentionally, for example, if the wiper blade is frozen and stuck to the surface to be wiped when a user lifts the wiper arm to remove snow from the vehicle body.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a wiper device that can prevent a wiper blade from coming off a wiper arm against the user's intention while ensuring ease of maintenance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of a wiper device is a wiper device comprising a wiper arm having a first connecting portion, and a wiper blade having a second connecting portion connected to the first connecting portion and wiping a surface to be wiped, wherein the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are connected to each other so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the wiping direction of the wiper blade, and the wiper arm and the wiper blade are rotated about the axis within a predetermined angular range relative to each other during the wiping operation of the wiper blade, and the wiper arm and the wiper blade each have a first abutment portion and a second abutment portion that abut against each other when rotated beyond the predetermined angular range. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a wiper device that can prevent the wiper blade from coming off the wiper arm against the user's intention while ensuring ease of maintenance. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the wiper device as seen from the front side. [Figure 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the wiper device taken along the dashed circle A in FIG. 1 in the longitudinal direction. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating a procedure for connecting the wiper arm and the wiper blade. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion D circled by a dashed line in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the connecting member alone as viewed from the front side. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a view taken along arrow E in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 8 is a view taken along the arrow F in FIG. 7. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an inclined state of the wiper blade during forward wiping. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an inclined state of the wiper blade during backward wiping. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a state of a connecting portion of the wiper blade during wiping. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing one state of the connecting portion during maintenance. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing other states of the connecting portion during maintenance. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] Figure 1 is an oblique view of the wiper device as seen from the front side, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view along the longitudinal direction of the wiper device at the dashed circle A in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along line BB in Figure 2, Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along line CC in Figure 2, Figure 5 is a diagram showing the procedure for connecting the wiper arm and wiper blade, Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the dashed circle D in Figure 5, Figure 7 is an oblique view from the front side showing the connecting member alone, Figure 8 is a view as seen from the arrow E in Figure 7, and Figure 9 is a view as seen from the arrow F in Figure 7.

[0011] <Wiper device> 1 to 4 is for wiping a rear window GS provided on a back door (not shown) of a vehicle such as an automobile. The wiper device 10 includes an arm head 20 fixed to a rotary shaft (not shown) of a wiper motor mounted on the back door, a wiper arm 30 whose base end (right side in FIG. 1) is rotatably connected to the arm head 20, and a wiper blade 40 whose longitudinal center is rotatably connected to the tip end (left side in FIG. 1) of the wiper arm 30.

[0012] The rear glass GS corresponds to the wiping surface in the present invention.

[0013] The arm head 20 includes a head body (not shown), which is firmly fixed to the rotary shaft of the wiper motor with a fastening nut (not shown). As a result, by driving the wiper motor to rotate the rotary shaft in forward and reverse directions, the wiper arm 30 and the wiper blade 40 perform a reciprocating wiping operation on the rear window GS.

[0014] 1, the arm head portion 20 is provided with a resin cover member 21. The cover member 21 covers and conceals the head body and the fastening nut, thereby preventing the head body and the fastening nut from being exposed to the outside, thereby improving the overall appearance of the wiper device 10.

[0015] <Wiper arm> 1 to 6, the wiper arm 30 is formed into a generally rod-like shape by injection molding a resin material such as plastic, and the cross-sectional shape of the wiper arm 30 along the wiping direction of the wiper blade 40 is generally U-shaped.

[0016] The wiper arm 30 includes a top wall portion 31 and an outward-moving side wall portion 32a and a return-moving side wall portion 32b formed integrally on both short sides of the top wall portion 31. That is, the outward-moving side and return-moving side walls 32a, 32b of the wiper arm 30 are disposed opposite each other in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 40 (left and right sides in FIGS. 3 and 4), and correspond to a pair of outer walls in the present invention.

[0017] The outgoing-path wall portion 32a is disposed on the outgoing-path side in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 40 (the left side in FIGS. 3 and 4), and the returning-path wall portion 32b is disposed on the returning-path side in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 40 (the right side in FIGS. 3 and 4). The top wall portion 31 is disposed on the opposite side of the outgoing-path and returning-path walls 32a, 32b from the rear windshield GS side (the upper side in FIGS. 3 and 4). As a result, the wiper arm 30, which has a substantially U-shaped cross section, opens on the rear windshield GS side (the lower side in FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0018] 1 and 5, an arm connector 33 is integrally provided on the base end side of the wiper arm 30, i.e., on the arm head 20 side of the wiper arm 30 (right side in the figures). The arm connector 33 protrudes from the base ends of the top wall 31 and the forward-path and backward-path wall portions 32a, 32b toward the arm head 20, and is rotatably connected to a head shaft (not shown) provided on the head main body. Here, the wiper arm 30 rotatably connected to the head shaft can rise up relative to the arm head 20 in a direction away from the rear window GS.

[0019] Furthermore, an arm tip 34 that gradually tapers toward the tip of the wiper arm 30 is integrally formed on the tip side (left side in the figure) of the wiper arm 30. Here, as shown in Fig. 1, the arm tip 34 is disposed near the wiper blade 40, but the arm tip 34 does not come into contact with the wiper blade 40 during the wiping operation of the wiper device 10. Therefore, the wiping performance of the wiper device 10 is not reduced and the wiper blade 40 is not damaged.

[0020] As shown in Figure 5, a spring hook 35 is integrally formed on the inside of the wiper arm 30 near the arm connecting portion 33. The tip end of a tension spring (not shown) can be hooked onto the spring hook 35. The spring force of the tension spring acts to press the wiper blade 40 toward the rear window GS with a predetermined pressure. The spring hook 35 is integrally formed with the top wall 31 and the outward-traveling-side and inward-traveling-side wall portions 32a, 32b, ensuring sufficient strength.

[0021] Furthermore, a reinforcing rib 36 formed in a generally mesh pattern is integrally provided on the inside of the wiper arm 30 in the longitudinal center thereof. The reinforcing rib 36 protrudes at a predetermined height on the inside of the wiper arm 30 and is integrally provided with the top wall 31 and the outward-side and inward-side wall portions 32a, 32b. This increases the strength of the wiper arm 30 while reducing its weight.

[0022] <Arm side connecting member> Furthermore, an arm-side connecting member 50 is integrally provided on the inside of the wiper arm 30 near the arm tip 34. Specifically, the arm-side connecting member 50 is disposed between the arm tip 34 and the reinforcing rib 36 in the longitudinal direction of the wiper arm 30. The arm-side connecting member 50 includes a first connecting wall 51 a, a second connecting wall 51 b, and a connecting shaft 52.

[0023] The connecting shaft portion 52 corresponds to the first connecting portion and the connecting shaft in this invention.

[0024] Here, the first connecting wall 51a is disposed on the outgoing wiping side of the wiper blade 40 (left side in FIGS. 3 and 4), and the second connecting wall 51b is disposed on the returning wiping side of the wiper blade 40 (right side in FIGS. 3 and 4). The connecting shaft 52 extends in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 40 (left and right sides in FIG. 3), and is disposed between the first connecting wall 51a and the second connecting wall 51b.

[0025] The first and second connecting walls 51a, 51b are disposed between the outgoing side wall 32a and the returning side wall 32b, support the connecting shaft 52, and correspond to the pair of side walls in the present invention.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 6, the first connecting wall 51a is provided adjacent to the outgoing path wall 32a, and both longitudinal sides (left and right sides in the figure) of the first connecting wall 51a are integrally connected to the outgoing path wall 32a. One axial side (the outgoing path in the wiping direction) of the connecting shaft 52 is also integrally connected to the first connecting wall 51a. An outgoing path gap G1 is formed between the first connecting wall 51a and the outgoing path wall 32a, and the outgoing path gap G1 functions as a material reduction gap to prevent sink marks and voids from occurring during injection molding of the wiper arm 30. Providing the outgoing path gap G1 also contributes to reducing the weight of the wiper arm 30.

[0027] The second connecting wall 51b is provided adjacent to the backward-path wall 32b, and both longitudinal sides (left and right sides in the figure) of the second connecting wall 51b are connected to the backward-path wall 32b so as to be integral with each other. Furthermore, the other axial side (the backward side in the wiping direction) of the connecting shaft 52 is connected to the second connecting wall 51b so as to be integral with each other. A backward-path gap G2 is formed between the second connecting wall 51b and the backward-path wall 32b, and the backward-path gap G2 also functions as a material removal mechanism similar to the outward-path gap G1, and also contributes to reducing the weight of the wiper arm 30.

[0028] 6, the surfaces of the first and second connecting wall portions 51a, 51b facing the rear windshield GS are provided with a first side wall end portion 53 and a second side wall end portion 54 that extend parallel to the surfaces of the pair of outward-side and inward-side wall portions 32a, 32b facing the rear windshield GS when viewed from the wiping direction of the wiper blade 40. The first side wall end portion 53 and the second side wall end portion 54 are arranged in a direction away from the rear windshield GS with respect to the surfaces of the pair of outward-side and inward-side wall portions 32a, 32b facing the rear windshield GS.

[0029] First and second tip-side abutment portions 53a and 54a are provided on the longitudinal tip sides (left side in the figure) of the first and second side-wall ends 53 and 54, respectively. First and second base-side abutment portions 53b and 54b are provided on the longitudinal base sides (right side in the figure) of the first and second side-wall ends 53 and 54, respectively. The first and second tip-side abutment portions 53a and 54a and the first and second base-side abutment portions 53b and 54b can abut against first and second tip-side inclined surfaces 65a and 66a and first and second base-side inclined surfaces 65b and 66b (see FIG. 8) provided on the blade-side connecting member 60 that forms the wiper blade 40, respectively, during maintenance of the wiper device 10.

[0030] The first and second tip end abutment portions 53a, 54a and the first and second base end abutment portions 53b, 54b correspond to the first abutment portions in the present invention.

[0031] Here, the first and second tip-side abutment portions 53a, 54a are disposed between the arm tip portion 34 and the connecting shaft portion 52 in the longitudinal direction of the wiper arm 30. The first and second base-side abutment portions 53b, 54b are disposed on the opposite side of the connecting shaft portion 52 from the arm tip portion 34 in the longitudinal direction of the wiper arm 30. Furthermore, the first and second connecting walls 51a, 51b and the connecting shaft portion 52 (arm-side connecting member 50) are covered and hidden by the outward-path and return-path wall portions 32a, 32b when the wiper arm 30 is viewed from the wiping direction of the wiper blade 40. This also improves the overall appearance of the wiper device 10.

[0032] <Wiper blades> 1 to 5, the wiper blade 40 that wipes the rear window GS is rotatably connectable to an arm-side connecting member 50 provided at the tip end of the wiper arm 30. The wiper blade 40 includes a blade rubber 41, a pair of vertebras 42 attached to the blade rubber 41, a pair of rubber holders 43 that hold the pair of vertebras 42, a pair of end caps 44 that cover the ends of the pair of rubber holders 43, and a blade-side connecting member 60 that holds the pair of vertebras 42 and is rotatably connected to the arm-side connecting member 50.

[0033] 3 and 4, the blade rubber 41 includes a blade body 41a held by a pair of vertebrae 42, and a lip portion 41b that comes into sliding contact with the rear glass GS. A neck portion 41c is provided between the blade body 41a and the lip portion 41b. The neck portion 41c is narrower than the lip portion 41b and is more flexible than the lip portion 41b. This allows the lip portion 41b to be easily tilted when the blade rubber 41 performs a reciprocating wiping operation over the rear glass GS, and as a result, the first and second corners CN1 and CN2 at the tip of the lip portion 41b thoroughly wipe away rainwater, dust, and the like adhering to the rear glass GS.

[0034] The blade rubber 41 is provided over the entire longitudinal area of ​​the wiper blade 40, and the cross-sectional shape of the wiper blade 40 along the wiping direction is the same over the entire longitudinal area of ​​the blade rubber 41. A pair of grooves 41d extending in the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber 41 is provided on the forward and backward sides of the blade body 41a. Approximately half of the vertebra 42 along the width direction (the wiping direction of the wiper blade 40) is fitted into each of the pair of grooves 41d. As a result, the blade rubber 41 is held by the pair of rubber holders 43 and the blade side connecting member 60 via the pair of vertebras 42.

[0035] The pair of vertebras 42 are formed in the shape of long, thin rods and have the function of leaf springs, and are held by a pair of rubber holders 43 and a blade-side connecting member 60. The pair of vertebras 42 are provided over the entire longitudinal area of ​​the wiper blade 40, and their length dimension is approximately equal to the length dimension of the blade rubber 41.

[0036] The pair of vertebras 42 are curved to have a predetermined curvature in a free state where no external force is applied. Specifically, the curvature of the pair of vertebras 42 is smaller than the curvature of the rear window GS. This allows the entire longitudinal area of ​​the lip portion 41b to be in close contact with the rear window GS in accordance with the curvature of the rear window GS. This ensures sufficient wiping performance of the wiper blade 40.

[0037] In addition, the remaining approximately half of the pair of vertebras 42 that does not enter the groove portion 41d is held by a pair of rubber holder side holding claws 43a (see Figure 4) provided on the rubber holder 43 and a pair of first and second connecting member side holding claws 63a, 63b (see Figures 3 and 9) provided on the blade side connecting member 60.

[0038] 3, an engagement groove 42a is provided in each of the pair of vertebrae 42 at the longitudinal center, and a pair of engagement protrusions 64 provided on the blade side connecting member 60 is hooked into these engagement grooves 42a. As a result, the pair of vertebrae 42 are restricted from moving in the longitudinal direction relative to the blade side connecting member 60, that is, are prevented from coming off.

[0039] Furthermore, cap fixing grooves (not shown) are provided on both longitudinal sides of the pair of vertebras 42, and engaging protrusions (not shown) provided on the inside of the end caps 44 are engaged with these cap fixing grooves. As a result, the pair of end caps 44 are fixed in a locked state on both longitudinal sides of the pair of vertebras 42. Therefore, the rubber holders 43 respectively arranged between the blade side connecting member 60 and the pair of end caps 44 are also locked in a locked state.

[0040] Here, a pair of rubber holders 43 holding a pair of vertebras 42 cover the side of the blade rubber 41 opposite to the rear window GS side, and conceal the pair of vertebras 42 and the blade body 41a of the blade rubber 41. This also improves the overall appearance of the wiper device 10.

[0041] The pair of rubber holders 43 are made of a flexible plastic material or the like, and are easily elastically deformable. This allows the pair of rubber holders 43 to easily follow the curved shape of the vertebra 42, and therefore does not reduce the wiping performance of the wiper blade 40.

[0042] 1 and 5, the longitudinal center of each rubber holder 43 of the wiper blade 40 serves as a pressing portion PS1, PS2 (see the shaded portion) that is pressed by the user during maintenance of the wiper device 10. Specifically, the pressing portions PS1, PS2 are provided in positions in the longitudinal direction of the rubber holder 43 that are easy for the user to grip (position their fingers on).

[0043] The pressing portion PS1 is disposed on the opposite side (base end side of the wiper blade 40) to the side where the first and second tip-side abutting portions 53a, 54a (see FIG. 6) of the arm-side connecting member 50 and the first and second tip-side inclined surfaces 65a, 66a (see FIG. 8) of the blade-side connecting member 60 are disposed, with the axis CT (see FIG. 2) sandwiched between them in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 40. The pressing portion PS2 is disposed on the opposite side (tip side of the wiper blade 40) to the side where the first and second base-side abutting portions 53b, 54b (see FIG. 6) of the arm-side connecting member 50 and the first and second base-side inclined surfaces 65b, 66b (see FIG. 8) of the blade-side connecting member 60 are disposed, with the axis CT (see FIG. 2) sandwiched between them in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 40. The pressing portions PS1 and PS2 are portions that are pressed in a direction to separate the wiper blade 40 from the wiper arm 30 when the wiper blade 40 is removed from the wiper arm 30.

[0044] A method for performing the maintenance work (maintenance work for the wiper device 10) of removing the wiper blade 40 from the wiper arm 30 by pressing the pressing portion PS1 or the pressing portion PS2 will be described in detail later.

[0045] <Blade side connecting member> 2 to 5 and 7 to 9, the blade side connecting member 60, which is rotatably connected to the arm side connecting member 50, is made of a resin material such as plastic and is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 40. Specifically, the blade side connecting member 60 includes a vertebra holding portion 61 and a connecting main body portion 70 formed integrally with the vertebra holding portion 61.

[0046] The blade side connecting member 60 corresponds to the connecting member in this invention.

[0047] <Vertebra holder> 7 to 9, the vertebra holder 61 is wider than the connecting main body 70 in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 40 (left-right direction in FIG. 9). On the other hand, the vertebra holder 61 is lower in height than the connecting main body 70 in the direction perpendicular to the rear window GS (up-down direction in FIG. 9). In other words, the vertebra holder 61 is thinner than the connecting main body 70, which allows the overall height of the wiper device 10 to be kept low.

[0048] The vertebra holder 61 is disposed on the rear window GS side of the blade-side connecting member 60, and holds the blade rubber 41 that wipes the rear window GS via a pair of vertebras .

[0049] The vertebra holder 61 corresponds to the blade holder of this invention.

[0050] 8 and 9, the vertebra holder 61 has a first bulge 62a and a second bulge 62b that bulge on both sides (upper and lower sides in FIG. 8 and left and right sides in FIG. 9) in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 40, with the connecting main body 70 at the center. The first bulge 62a is located on the forward wiping direction side of the wiper blade 40, and the second bulge 62b is located on the backward wiping direction side of the wiper blade 40.

[0051] A first connecting member side holding claw 63a that holds the vertebra 42 arranged on the forward path side is integrally provided on the rear window GS side (lower side in Figure 9) of the first bulging portion 62a. An engaging protrusion 64 that is hooked into an engaging groove 42a (see Figure 3) provided in the vertebra 42 is provided in the center of the first connecting member side holding claw 63a in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 40.

[0052] A second connecting member side holding claw 63b that holds the vertebra 42 arranged on the return path side is integrally provided on the rear window GS side (lower side in Figure 9) of the second bulging portion 62b. An engaging protrusion 64 that is hooked into an engaging groove 42a (see Figure 3) provided in the vertebra 42 is provided in the center of the second connecting member side holding claw 63b in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 40.

[0053] 8, a first inclined surface 65 is provided on the side of the first bulging portion 62a opposite to the rear window GS side so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the vertebra holding portion 61. The first inclined surface 65 is inclined so as to gradually decrease in height from the connecting main body portion 70 toward the forward wiping direction side of the wiper blade 40. A first tip-side inclined surface 65a and a first base-side inclined surface 65b (see the shaded portions) are arranged on both longitudinal sides of the first inclined surface 65.

[0054] Specifically, the first tip-side inclined surface 65a is an inclined surface that is inclined toward the forward wiping direction of the wiper blade 40, so as to approach the rear windshield GS as it moves away from the connecting main body 70. In addition, the first tip-side inclined surface 65a is an inclined surface that is inclined toward the tip side of the longitudinal direction of the blade-side connecting member 60, so as to approach the rear windshield GS as it moves away from the pair of holding claws 71.

[0055] The first tip-side inclined surface 65a is capable of being abutted against the first tip-side abutment portion 53a (see FIG. 6) of the arm-side connecting member 50 during maintenance of the wiper device 10. More specifically, the first tip-side abutment portion 53a is capable of being in line contact with the first tip-side inclined surface 65a during maintenance of the wiper device 10.

[0056] Furthermore, the first base-end-side inclined surface 65b is an inclined surface that is inclined toward the forward wiping direction of the wiper blade 40, so as to approach the rear window GS as it moves away from the connecting main body 70. Moreover, the first base-end-side inclined surface 65b is an inclined surface that is inclined toward the base end side of the longitudinal direction of the blade-side connecting member 60, so as to approach the rear window GS as it moves away from the pair of holding claws 71.

[0057] The first base-end side inclined surface 65b can be abutted against the first base-end side abutment portion 53b (see FIG. 6) of the arm-side connecting member 50 during maintenance of the wiper device 10. More specifically, the first base-end side abutment portion 53b can be in line contact with the first base-end side inclined surface 65b during maintenance of the wiper device 10.

[0058] 8, a second inclined surface 66 is provided on the side of the second bulging portion 62b opposite to the rear window GS side so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the vertebra holding portion 61. The second inclined surface 66 is inclined so that its height gradually decreases from the connecting main body portion 70 toward the backward wiping direction of the wiper blade 40. A second tip-side inclined surface 66a and a second base-side inclined surface 66b (see the shaded portions) are arranged on both longitudinal sides of the second inclined surface 66.

[0059] Specifically, the second tip-side inclined surface 66a is an inclined surface that is inclined toward the backward wiping direction of the wiper blade 40, so as to approach the rear windshield GS as it moves away from the connecting main body 70. In addition, the second tip-side inclined surface 66a is an inclined surface that is inclined toward the tip side of the longitudinal direction of the blade-side connecting member 60, so as to approach the rear windshield GS as it moves away from the pair of holding claws 71.

[0060] The second tip-side inclined surface 66a is capable of being abutted against the second tip-side abutment portion 54a (see FIG. 6) of the arm-side connecting member 50 during maintenance of the wiper device 10. More specifically, the second tip-side abutment portion 54a is capable of being in line contact with the second tip-side inclined surface 66a during maintenance of the wiper device 10.

[0061] Furthermore, the second base-end side inclined surface 66b is an inclined surface that is inclined toward the backward wiping direction of the wiper blade 40, so as to approach the rear window GS as it moves away from the connecting main body 70. Moreover, the second base-end side inclined surface 66b is an inclined surface that is inclined toward the base end side of the longitudinal direction of the blade-side connecting member 60, so as to approach the rear window GS as it moves away from the pair of holding claws 71.

[0062] The second base-end side inclined surface 66b can be abutted against the second base-end side abutment portion 54b (see FIG. 6) of the arm-side connecting member 50 during maintenance of the wiper device 10. More specifically, the second base-end side abutment portion 54b can be in line contact with the second base-end side inclined surface 66b during maintenance of the wiper device 10.

[0063] The first and second tip-side inclined surfaces 65a, 66a and the first and second base-side inclined surfaces 65b, 66b of the blade-side connecting member 60 correspond to the second abutment portion in this invention.

[0064] 2, in the first and second bulging portions 62a, 62b, ends of the rubber holder 43 are fitted into a tip end portion T1 (left side in FIG. 8) where the first and second tip side inclined surfaces 65a, 66a are provided and a base end portion T2 (right side in FIG. 8) where the first and second base side inclined surfaces 65b, 66b are provided. In other words, ends of the rubber holder 43 are arranged on the opposite side (rear window GS side) from the first and second tip side inclined surfaces 65a, 66a and the opposite side (rear window GS side) from the first and second base side inclined surfaces 65b, 66b.

[0065] In this way, the first and second bulging portions 62a, 62b have the function of covering and concealing the ends of the rubber holder 43. This also improves the overall appearance of the wiper device 10. Furthermore, by sandwiching the rubber holder 43 between the first and second bulging portions 62a, 62b and the end cap 44, the rubber holder 43 is prevented from falling off the pair of vertebras 42 and blade rubber 41.

[0066] The tip end T1 and the base end T2 are provided on both longitudinal sides of the vertebra holding portion 61, and cover the ends of the pair of rubber holders 43. That is, the tip end T1 and the base end T2 correspond to the holder covering portion in the present invention.

[0067] <Connecting body> 7 to 9, the connecting body 70 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The connecting body 70 fits between the first connecting wall 51a and the second connecting wall 51b of the arm side connecting member 50 (see FIG. 6), and is rotatably connectable to the connecting shaft 52 of the arm side connecting member 50 (see FIG. 6).

[0068] In other words, the connecting body 70 functions as an adapter that connects the wiper arm 30 and the wiper blade 40. The connecting body 70 is disposed on the opposite side of the vertebra holding part 61 from the rear window GS side, and corresponds to the adapter part in the present invention.

[0069] A pair of retaining claws 71 is provided in the longitudinal center of the connecting body 70. These retaining claws 71 protrude away from the rear glass GS and are arranged opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 40. Each of the pair of retaining claws 71 is flexible in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 40. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the connecting shaft 52 can be attached to the inside of the pair of retaining claws 71 by snap fitting.

[0070] Specifically, as shown by the dashed-dotted arrow M in Figure 5, the pair of retaining claws 71 are brought into contact with the connecting shaft 52 from the rear glass GS side (the lower side in Figure 2), causing the connecting shaft 52 to elastically deform the pair of retaining claws 71. As a result, the connecting shaft 52 is inserted inside the pair of retaining claws 71. Note that in Figure 2, the inserting direction of the connecting shaft 52 into the pair of retaining claws 71 is the direction opposite to the rear glass GS side. The connecting shaft 52 connected to the pair of retaining claws 71 is rotatable about the axis CT (see Figures 2 and 3).

[0071] In this way, the connecting shaft portion 52 and the pair of holding claws 71 are connected to each other so as to be rotatable about the axis CT extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 40.

[0072] The pair of holding claws 71 correspond to the second connecting portion in the present invention.

[0073] Furthermore, the connecting shaft 52 does not move in the longitudinal direction or wiping direction of the wiper blade 40 relative to the pair of retaining claws 71, but is tiltable in clockwise and counterclockwise directions around the tilting center SA inside the pair of retaining claws 71. Specifically, the tilt angle of the connecting shaft 52 relative to the pair of retaining claws 71 about the tilting center SA is α degrees (e.g., 3 degrees) in both the clockwise and counterclockwise directions from the state shown in FIG. 3 (a state in which the wiper blade 40 is not tilted relative to the wiper arm 30). The tilting center SA is located on the axis CT and in the longitudinal center of the connecting shaft 52.

[0074] As shown in Figure 7, a groove 72 is provided at the base of the pair of retaining claws 71, i.e., on the vertebra holder portion 61 side in the extension direction of the pair of retaining claws 71, so as to extend in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 40. The groove 72 is disposed between the pair of retaining claws 71 in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 40, thereby making the pair of retaining claws 71 more likely to bend. The groove 72 has a substantially semicircular cross section along the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 40. This allows the stress acting on the base of the pair of retaining claws 71 to be dispersed, preventing the base of the pair of retaining claws 71 from being damaged due to stress concentration.

[0075] <First block section> 7 and 8, a first block portion 73 formed in a substantially hollow box shape is provided on the longitudinal tip side (left side in the drawings) of the connecting main body 70, centered around the pair of retaining claws 71. By making the first block portion 73 substantially hollow and box-shaped, deformation of the first block portion 73 due to sink marks or voids is suppressed during injection molding of the blade-side connecting member 60. The first block portion 73 is located between the first connecting wall portion 51a and the second connecting wall portion 51b of the arm-side connecting member 50 and is located closer to the tip side of the wiper arm 30 than the connecting shaft portion 52.

[0076] Here, a first gap 74 is provided between the first block portion 73 and the retaining claw 71 in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 40. The first gap 74 is a gap that allows elastic deformation of the retaining claw 71.

[0077] 7 to 9, a first outward-path inclined wall 75a and a second outward-path inclined wall 75b are provided on the outward path side of the first block portion 73 in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 40. Specifically, the first outward-path inclined wall 75a is disposed on the rear window GS side of the first block portion 73, and the second outward-path inclined wall 75b is disposed on the side of the first block portion 73 opposite to the rear window GS side.

[0078] 4, the first and second outward-path inclined walls 75a, 75b are both inclined at a gentle inclination angle α degrees (e.g., 3 degrees) with respect to the vertical direction of the rear windshield GS. The first outward-path inclined wall 75a faces toward the rear windshield GS, and the second outward-path inclined wall 75b faces away from the rear windshield GS. A first outward-path apex 75c, which protrudes most toward the outward wiping direction of the wiper blade 40, is provided between the first outward-path inclined wall 75a and the second outward-path inclined wall 75b.

[0079] 7 to 9, a first homeward-side inclined wall 76a and a second homeward-side inclined wall 76b are provided on the homeward side of the first block portion 73 in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 40. Specifically, the first homeward-side inclined wall 76a is disposed on the rear window GS side of the first block portion 73, and the second homeward-side inclined wall 76b is disposed on the side of the first block portion 73 opposite to the rear window GS side.

[0080] Like the first and second outward-moving inclined walls 75a, 75b, the first and second inward-moving inclined walls 76a, 76b are inclined at an inclination angle of α degrees with respect to the perpendicular direction of the rear windshield GS. The first inward-moving inclined wall 76a faces toward the rear windshield GS, and the second inward-moving inclined wall 76b faces away from the rear windshield GS. A first inward-moving apex 76c is provided between the first inward-moving inclined wall 76a and the second inward-moving inclined wall 76b, and the first inward-moving apex 76c protrudes most toward the backward wiping direction of the wiper blade 40.

[0081] <Second Block> 7 and 8, a second block portion 77 formed in a generally hollow box shape, similar to the first block portion 73, is provided on the longitudinal base end side (right side in the drawings) of the connecting main body 70, centered around the pair of retaining claws 71. The second block portion 77 is located between the first connecting wall portion 51a and the second connecting wall portion 51b of the arm-side connecting member 50 and is located closer to the base end side of the wiper arm 30 than the connecting shaft portion 52.

[0082] Here, a second gap 78 is provided between the second block portion 77 and the retaining claw 71 in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 40. Similar to the first gap 74, the second gap 78 also allows elastic deformation of the retaining claw 71.

[0083] 7 to 9, a first outward-path inclined wall 79a and a second outward-path inclined wall 79b are provided on the outward path side of the second block portion 77 in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 40. Specifically, the first outward-path inclined wall 79a is disposed on the rear window GS side of the second block portion 77, and the second outward-path inclined wall 79b is disposed on the side of the second block portion 77 opposite to the rear window GS side.

[0084] Like the first and second outward-way-side inclined walls 75a, 75b of the first block portion 73, the first and second outward-way-side inclined walls 79a, 79b are inclined at an inclination angle of α degrees with respect to the perpendicular direction of the rear windshield GS. The first outward-way-side inclined wall 79a faces toward the rear windshield GS, and the second outward-way-side inclined wall 79b faces away from the rear windshield GS. A second outward-way-side apex 79c that protrudes most toward the outward wiping direction of the wiper blade 40 is provided between the first outward-way-side inclined wall 79a and the second outward-way-side inclined wall 79b.

[0085] 7 to 9, a first homeward-side inclined wall 80a and a second homeward-side inclined wall 80b are provided on the homeward side of the second block portion 77 in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 40. Specifically, the first homeward-side inclined wall 80a is disposed on the rear window GS side of the second block portion 77, and the second homeward-side inclined wall 80b is disposed on the side of the second block portion 77 opposite to the rear window GS side.

[0086] In the first and second return-side inclined walls 80a and 80b as well, similar to the first and second forward-side inclined walls 75a and 75b of the first block portion 73, they are inclined at an inclination angle of α degrees with respect to the vertical direction of the rear glass GS. The first return-side inclined wall 80a faces the rear glass GS side, and the second return-side inclined wall 80b faces the side opposite to the rear glass GS side. Also, between the first return-side inclined wall 80a and the second return-side inclined wall 80b, a second return-side top portion 80c that protrudes most on the return side in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 40 is provided.

[0087] Here, as shown in FIG. 8, in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 40, the dimension S1 between the first and second block portions 73, 77 and the holding claws 71 is smaller than the dimension S2 between the pair of holding claws 71 (S1 < S2). Thereby, it is ensured that the connecting shaft portion 52 can be surely mounted between the pair of holding claws without misalignment (an anti-misassembly structure).

[0088] Note that the first and second block portions 73, 77 have a mirror-symmetrical shape with the pair of holding claws 71 interposed therebetween in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 40. Therefore, in FIG. 9, the first and second forward-side inclined walls 79a, 79b and the second forward-side top portion 79c of the second block portion 77, and the first and second return-side inclined walls 80a, 80b and the second return-side top portion 80c of the second block portion 77 are indicated by symbols with parentheses.

[0089] Also, as shown in FIG. 8, in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 40, the distance between the first forward-side top portion 75c and the first return-side top portion 76c, and the distance between the second forward-side top portion 79c and the second return-side top portion 80c are both W1. The distance W1 is substantially equal to the distance between the first connecting wall portion 51a and the second connecting wall portion 51b (see FIG. 6) of the wiper arm 30 in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 40. Therefore, rattling of the wiper blade 40 with respect to the wiper arm 30 is suppressed with respect to the wiping direction of the wiper blade 40.

[0090] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8, in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 40, the width dimension of the pair of holding claws 71 is W2, which is smaller than the above-described distance W1 (W2 < W1). That is, the pair of holding claws 71 are arranged at positions recessed in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 40 from the first and second block side forward path walls WL1, WL3 and the first and second block side return path walls WL2, WL4.

[0091] Thereby, in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 40, a predetermined gap CL (see FIG. 3) is provided between the pair of holding claws 71 and the first and second connecting wall portions 51a, 51b. Here, as shown in FIG. 6, when the wiper arm 30 is injection-molded, a parting line PL (only the side of the second connecting wall portion 51b is shown in the figure) is generated on the surfaces of the first and second connecting wall portions 51a, 51b by a mold for molding the connecting shaft portion 52. Therefore, by providing the predetermined gap CL, contact between the pair of holding claws 71 and the parting line PL of the wiper arm 30 can be prevented.

[0092] Thereby, regardless of the presence or absence of the parting line PL, each inclined wall (75a, 75b, 76a, 76b, 79a, 79b, 80a, 80b) can be surely abutted against the first and second connecting wall portions 51a, 51b. Therefore, regardless of the molding error, the wiper blade 40 can be inclined with respect to the wiper arm 30 at a predetermined angle, and thus the wiping performance of the wiper device 10 can be improved.

[0093] Also, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the ends 75d, 76d, 79d, 80d on the rear glass GS side and the ends 75e, 76e, 79e, 80e on the side opposite to the rear glass GS side of the first and second block side forward path walls WL1, WL3 and the first and second block side return path walls WL2, WL4 extend parallel to the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 40, respectively.

[0094] This increases the area of ​​each inclined wall (75a, 75b, 76a, 76b, 79a, 79b, 80a, 80b), thereby ensuring a sufficient contact area between the first connecting wall portion 51a and the second connecting wall portion 51b of the wiper arm 30. This improves the accuracy of regulating the inclination angle of the wiper blade 40 relative to the wiper arm 30.

[0095] <Back and forth wiping action> FIG. 10 shows the inclined state of the wiper blade during forward wiping, and FIG. 11 shows the inclined state of the wiper blade during backward wiping.

[0096] When the rotary shaft (not shown) of the wiper motor is rotated in the forward direction, the wiper device 10 performs a forward wiping operation as shown by the dashed arrow in Fig. 10. As a result, the wiper blade 40 is tilted counterclockwise (see the solid arrow) about the tilt center SA relative to the wiper arm 30. At this time, the tilt angle of the wiper blade 40 relative to the wiper arm 30 is α degrees with respect to the state shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

[0097] In this way, when the wiper device 10 is performing the forward wiping operation, the connecting main body portion 70 forming the blade side connecting member 60 can be tilted in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 40 inside the first and second connecting wall portions 51a, 51b provided on the wiper arm 30.

[0098] When the wiper blade 40 is tilted counterclockwise around the tilt center SA relative to the wiper arm 30, the second outward-side inclined walls 75b and 79b of the first and second block portions 73 and 77 abut against the first connecting wall portion 51a. Also, the first backward-side inclined walls 76a and 80a of the first and second block portions 73 and 77 abut against the second connecting wall portion 51b.

[0099] 10, the first corner portion CN1 at the tip of the lip portion 41b of the blade rubber 41 is in reliable sliding contact with the rear glass GS, thereby suppressing chattering of the blade rubber 41 and thoroughly wiping away rainwater, dust, and the like adhering to the rear glass GS.

[0100] Furthermore, when the rotary shaft (not shown) of the wiper motor is rotated in the reverse direction, the wiper device 10 is reversed from the position (forward wiping) shown in Fig. 10 and performs a backward wiping operation as shown by the dashed arrow in Fig. 11. As a result, the wiper blade 40 is tilted clockwise (see the solid arrow) about the tilt center SA relative to the wiper arm 30. At this time, the tilt angle of the wiper blade 40 relative to the wiper arm 30 is α degrees × 2 (approximately 6 degrees) with respect to the state shown in Fig. 10.

[0101] In this way, when the wiper device 10 performs the backward wiping operation, the connecting main body portion 70 forming the blade side connecting member 60 can be tilted in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 40 inside the first and second connecting wall portions 51a, 51b provided on the wiper arm 30.

[0102] When the wiper blade 40 is tilted clockwise around the tilt center SA relative to the wiper arm 30, the first outward-side inclined walls 75a and 79a of the first and second block portions 73 and 77 abut against the first connecting wall portion 51a, respectively. Also, the second backward-side inclined walls 76b and 80b of the first and second block portions 73 and 77 abut against the second connecting wall portion 51b.

[0103] 11, the second corner CN2 at the tip of the lip portion 41b of the blade rubber 41 comes into sliding contact with the rear glass GS at an appropriate contact angle, thereby suppressing chattering of the blade rubber 41 and thoroughly wiping away rainwater, dust, and the like adhering to the rear glass GS.

[0104] In Figures 10 and 11, as in Figure 9, the first and second outward-side inclined walls 79a, 79b and the second outward-side apex 79c of the second block portion 77, and the first and second return-side inclined walls 80a, 80b and the second return-side apex 80c of the second block portion 77 are indicated by symbols in parentheses.

[0105] 10 and 11, during the wiping operation of the wiper blade 40 in the wiper device 10, the wiper blade 40 and the wiper arm 30 are rotated clockwise and counterclockwise around the axis CT by a rotation angle β degrees (approximately 5 degrees) in accordance with the curvature of the rear glass GS, as shown in Fig. 12. At this time, the tip end and base end of the wiper blade 40 do not come into contact with the wiper arm 30, ensuring sufficient wiping performance of the wiper blade 40.

[0106] Furthermore, first and second block portions 73, 77 having inclined walls (75a, 75b, 76a, 76b, 79a, 79b, 80a, 80b) on the forward and backward movement sides are provided near the connecting shaft portion 52 and the pair of retaining claws 71, which are centered on the axis CT. Specifically, in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 40, the inclined walls (75a, 75b, 76a, 76b, 79a, 79b, 80a, 80b) are arranged on both sides of the connecting shaft portion 52 and the pair of retaining claws 71 and on the forward and backward movement sides.

[0107] 12, even when the wiper blade 40 and the wiper arm 30 rotate clockwise and counterclockwise by a rotation angle β degrees about the axis CT, the blade rubber 41 of the wiper blade 40 and each of the inclined walls (75a, 75b, 76a, 76b, 79a, 79b, 80a, 80b) operate as a single unit. In other words, even when the rotation angle of the wiper blade 40 and the wiper arm 30 changes, the inclination direction of each of the inclined walls (75a, 75b, 76a, 76b, 79a, 79b, 80a, 80b) with respect to the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 40 does not change.

[0108] Therefore, the inclination angle of the wiper blade 40 relative to the wiper arm 30 can be more appropriately regulated during the wiping operation of the wiper blade 40.

[0109] The rotation angle β degrees of the wiper blade 40 relative to the wiper arm 30 during wiping operation (see FIG. 12) corresponds to the predetermined angle range in the present invention.

[0110] <Standing up> FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the state of the connecting portion of the wiper blade during wiping.

[0111] 12, when the user grasps and lifts the tip end of the wiper arm 30, the wiper blade 40 is also lifted up relative to the rear windshield GS. This causes the wiper blade 40 to move (stand up) in a direction away from the rear windshield GS, making it possible to, for example, remove snow that has accumulated on the rear windshield GS.

[0112] At this time, the wiper arm 30 can be lifted by a lifting load UP in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rear windshield GS. Here, the lifting load UP is a force large enough to resist the spring force of a tension spring (not shown). Note that a pulling load FR required to pull the connecting shaft portion 52 (see FIG. 2) of the arm-side connecting member 50 out of the pair of retaining claws 71 (see FIG. 2) of the blade-side connecting member 60 is sufficiently larger than the lifting load UP. Therefore, for example, even if the wiper blade 40 is stuck to the rear windshield GS due to freezing, the wiper blade 40 will not easily come off the wiper arm 30 simply by lifting the wiper arm 30 and lifting the wiper blade 40 and the wiper arm 30 up relative to the rear windshield GS.

[0113] As shown in Figure 12, when wiping with the wiper blade 40 before the wiper arm 30 is lifted, the first and second tip end abutment portions 53a, 54a and the first and second base end abutment portions 53b, 54b (see Figure 6) of the arm side connecting member 50 do not come into contact with the first and second tip end inclined surfaces 65a, 66a and the first and second base end inclined surfaces 65b, 66b (see Figure 8) of the blade side connecting member 60.

[0114] <Maintenance work> FIG. 13 is a diagram showing one state of the connecting portion during maintenance, and FIG. 14 is a diagram showing another state of the connecting portion during maintenance.

[0115] To perform maintenance on the wiper device 10, such as replacing the wiper blade 40 or the blade rubber 41 of the wiper blade 40, it is necessary to remove the wiper blade 40 from the wiper arm 30. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 12, the user first grasps and lifts the tip end of the wiper arm 30, thereby separating the wiper blade 40 from the rear window GS (pulling it up in the upright direction).

[0116] As a result, the wiper blade 40 and the wiper arm 30 can rotate clockwise and counterclockwise about the axis CT at a rotation angle γ degrees (approximately 7 degrees) that is larger than the rotation angle β degrees (see FIG. 12) (γ degrees > β degrees), as shown in Fig. 13. In other words, the wiper blade 40 can rotate beyond the rotation angle β degrees relative to the wiper arm 30. This is because the state in which the wiper blade 40 was restricted in rotation by the rear window GS is released.

[0117] Next, the wiper blade 40 is pulled away from the rear glass GS, and rotated beyond the rotation angle β degrees relative to the wiper arm 30. Then, the pressing portion PS1 of the rubber holder 43 arranged on the base end side of the wiper blade 40 is pressed, and the wiper blade 40 is moved in the direction of pulling away from the wiper arm 30 as shown by the outline arrow.

[0118] Then, the wiper blade 40 is rotated with respect to the wiper arm 30 beyond the rotation angle β degrees, so that the first and second tip-side abutting portions 53a, 54a (see FIG. 6) of the arm-side connecting member 50 are brought into line contact and abutted against the first and second tip-side inclined surfaces 65a, 66a (see FIG. 8) of the blade-side connecting member 60.

[0119] In addition, in a state where the first and second tip-side abutting portions 53a, 54a and the first and second tip-side inclined surfaces 65a, 66a are in contact with each other (the state shown in FIG. 13), even if the arm tip portion 34 is brought into contact with the wiper blade 40, the arm tip portion 34 is not brought into contact with the wiper blade 40 with a strong force. Therefore, the wiper blade 40 is not damaged.

[0120] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 13, by further pressing down the pressing portion PS1 of the rubber holder 43, the wiper blade 40 is detached from the wiper arm 30 with a pressing load FL (FL < FR) that is smaller than the pulling load FR (see FIG. 12) required to pull out the connecting shaft portion 52 (see FIG. 2) from the pair of holding claws 71 (see FIG. 2).

[0121] Here, the position of the pressing portion PS1 becomes the "force point" of the lever principle, the position where the first and second tip-side abutting portions 53a, 54a and the first and second tip-side inclined surfaces 65a, 66a are abutted becomes the "fulcrum (reference numeral P1 in the figure)" of the lever principle, and the position where the connecting shaft portion 52 and the pair of holding claws 71 are connected (the position of the axis CT) becomes the "point of action" of the lever principle.

[0122] <I As shown in Fig. 13, in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 40, the length of the first line segment L1 connecting the position of the axial center CT (point of action) and the position (fulcrum at the longitudinal center position of the position where the first and second tip-side abutting portions 53a and 54a and the first and second tip-side inclined surfaces 65a and 66a are abutted in line contact) is shorter than the length of the second line segment L2 connecting the position of the pressing portion PS1 (point of force) and the position (fulcrum at the longitudinal center position of the position where the first and second tip-side abutting portions 53a and 54a and the first and second tip-side inclined surfaces 65a and 66a are abutted in line contact) (L1 < L2). Thereby, the principle of a lever that makes the pressing load FL < the pulling load FR is realized.

[0123] Furthermore, the length of the third line segment L3 connecting the position of the axial center CT (point of action) and the position of the connecting member base end portion 67 on the side opposite to the first and second tip-side inclined surfaces 65a and 66a in the longitudinal direction of the blade-side connecting member 60 is equal to or longer than the length of the first line segment L1 (L1 ≦ L3). Since it is assumed that the user holds the rubber holder 43 during maintenance of the wiper device 10, in most cases, the pressing portion PS1 is arranged on the base end side in the longitudinal direction rather than the blade-side connecting member 60. Therefore, by setting L1 ≦ L3, the difference between the length of the second line segment L2 and the length of the first line segment L1 can be made twice or more, and thus the pressing load FL can be made 1 / 2 or less of the pulling load FR.

[0124] The connecting member base end portion 67 corresponds to the connecting member end portion in the present invention.

[0125] In this way, by using the "lever principle", the wiper blade 40 can be removed from the wiper arm 30 with a relatively small pressing load FL. Therefore, it is possible to improve the maintainability of the wiper device 10.

[0126] 12, the first and second tip-side inclined surfaces 65a, 66a provided on the blade-side connecting member 60 of the wiper blade 40 are disposed closer to the rear window GS (lower in the figure) than the axis CT. Specifically, in the vertical direction of the rear window GS, the first and second tip-side inclined surfaces 65a, 66a are spaced apart from the axis CT by a distance L4. Note that the distance L4 is shorter than the length of the first line segment L1 (see FIG. 13).

[0127] As a result, during the wiping operation of the wiper blade 40, the rotation angle of the wiper blade 40 relative to the wiper arm 30 can be set to β degrees, which ensures sufficient wiping performance of the wiper blade 40. On the other hand, during maintenance of the wiper device 10, the rotation angle can also be set to γ ​​degrees, which allows the wiper blade 40 to be detached from the wiper arm 30.

[0128] Furthermore, when performing maintenance on the wiper device 10, the user may press the pressing portion PS2 at the longitudinal center of the rubber holder 43 located at the longitudinal tip side of the wiper blade 40 instead of the pressing portion PS1 at the longitudinal center of the rubber holder 43 located at the longitudinal base end side of the wiper blade 40.

[0129] 6, the first and second base end abutment portions 53b, 54b on the longitudinal base end sides (right sides in the figure) of the first and second side wall end portions 53, 54 can abut against the first and second base end inclined surfaces 65b, 66b (see FIG. 8), respectively. This also allows the wiper blade 40 to be removed from the wiper arm 30 with a relatively small pressing load FL (see FIG. 14).

[0130] Here, as shown in Figure 14, the position of the pressing portion PS2 is the "point of force" of the principle of leverage, the position where the first and second base end abutment portions 53b, 54b abut against the first and second base end inclined surfaces 65b, 66b is the "fulcrum (symbol P2 in the figure)" of the principle of leverage, and the position where the connecting shaft portion 52 and the pair of retaining claws 71 are connected (position of the axis center CT) is the "point of action" of the principle of leverage.

[0131] In addition, as shown in FIG. 14, in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 40, the length of the first line segment L1' connecting the position of the axial center CT (point of action) and the position (fulcrum at the longitudinal center position of the position where the first and second proximal end side abutting portions 53b and 54b and the first and second proximal end side inclined surfaces 65b and 66b are abutted in line contact) is shorter than the length of the second line segment L2' connecting the position of the pressing portion PS2 (point of force) and the position (fulcrum at the longitudinal center position of the position where the first and second proximal end side abutting portions 53b and 54b and the first and second proximal end side inclined surfaces 65b and 66b are abutted in line contact) (L1' < L2'). Thereby, the principle of the lever to make the pressing load FL < the pulling load FR is realized.

[0132] Furthermore, the length of the third line segment L3' connecting the position of the axial center CT (point of action) and the position of the connecting member tip portion 68 on the opposite side of the first and second proximal end side inclined surfaces 65b and 66b in the longitudinal direction of the blade side connecting member 60 is equal to or greater than the length of the first line segment L1' (L1' ≤ L3'). Since it is assumed that the user holds the rubber holder 43 during maintenance of the wiper device 10, in most cases, the pressing portion PS2 is arranged on the longitudinal tip side of the blade side connecting member 60. Therefore, by setting L1' ≤ L3', the difference between the length of the second line segment L2' and the length of the first line segment L1' can be made twice or more, and thus the pressing load FL can be made 1 / 2 or less of the pulling load FR.

[0133] The connecting member tip portion 68 corresponds to the connecting member end portion in the present invention.

[0134] Thus, even when pressing the pressing portion PS2, by using the "lever principle", the wiper blade 40 can be removed from the wiper arm 30 with a relatively small pressing load FL. Therefore, it is possible to improve the maintainability of the wiper device 10.

[0135] The wiper blade 40 can be removed from the wiper arm 30 by pressing either the pressing portion PS1 or the pressing portion PS2, so that the user can select either the pressing portion PS1 or the pressing portion PS2 according to their preference (such as dominant hand).

[0136] In addition, as shown in Figure 7, the blade side connecting member 60 is symmetrical in the longitudinal direction around the pair of holding claws 71, thereby improving the manufacturability of the blade side connecting member 60 and improving assembly by eliminating the orientation of the parts.

[0137] Furthermore, regardless of whether the wiper blade 40 is of the lockback type, it is possible to easily remove the wiper blade 40 from the wiper arm 30. Specifically, if the wiper arm is not of the lockback type, the angle at which the wiper arm can stand is small, making it difficult to remove the wiper blade 40 from the wiper arm 30 using the pressing portion PS1. In this case, the tip end of the wiper blade 40 in the longitudinal direction is easy to grip, so the wiper blade 40 can be removed from the wiper arm 30 using the pressing portion PS2.

[0138] As described above in detail, according to this embodiment, the wiper arm 30 and the wiper blade 40 are rotated relative to each other through a rotation angle β degrees around the axis CT during the wiping operation of the wiper blade 40, and the wiper arm 30 and the wiper blade 40 respectively have first and second tip abutment portions 53a, 54a and first and second tip inclined surfaces 65a, 66a that abut against each other when rotated beyond the rotation angle β degrees.

[0139] As a result, when the wiper blade 40 is rotated relative to the wiper arm 30 beyond the rotation angle β degrees, the first and second tip-side abutment portions 53a, 54a and the first and second tip-side inclined surfaces 65a, 66a, or the first and second base-side abutment portions 53b, 54b and the first and second base-side inclined surfaces 65b, 66b abut against each other, and the wiper blade 40 can be removed from the wiper arm 30 with a relatively small pressing load FL by "the lever principle." This makes it possible to improve the maintainability of the wiper device 10.

[0140] On the other hand, the pulling load required to pull the connecting shaft 52 out of the pair of retaining claws 71 can be made sufficiently larger than the lifting load LD required to lift the wiper arm 30 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rear glass GS. This makes it possible to prevent the wiper blade 40 from easily coming off the wiper arm 30. For example, even if a user raises the wiper arm 30 in order to remove the wiper blade 40 from the rear glass GS after it has become stuck to the rear glass GS due to freezing in winter, the wiper blade 40 will not come off the wiper arm 30.

[0141] Therefore, it is possible to prevent the wiper blade 40 from coming off the wiper arm 30 against the user's intention while ensuring ease of maintenance.

[0142] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the wiper blade 40 is provided with the blade-side connecting member 60, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 40 and has the pair of holding claws 71 and the first and second tip-side inclined surfaces 65 a, 66 a (the first and second base-side inclined surfaces 65 b, 66 b) arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction. On the opposite side to the side where the first and second tip-side inclined surfaces 65a, 66a (first and second base-side inclined surfaces 65b, 66b) are arranged, a connecting member base end 67 (connecting member tip end 68) is provided, and the length of a third line segment L3 (L3') connecting the axis center CT and the connecting member base end 67 (connecting member tip end 68) is equal to or greater than the length of the first line segment L1 (L1') connecting the axis center CT and the first and second tip-side inclined surfaces 65a, 66a (first and second base-side inclined surfaces 65b, 66b) (L1≦L3 (L1'≦L3')).

[0143] This allows the pressing load FL to be set to 1 / 2 or less of the pull-out load FR, further improving maintainability.

[0144] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, first and second tip end abutment portions 53a, 54a and first and second base end abutment portions 53b, 54b are respectively provided on both sides of the connecting shaft portion 52 in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 40, and first and second tip end inclined surfaces 65a, 66a and first and second base end inclined surfaces 65b, 66b are respectively provided on both sides of a pair of retaining claws 71 in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 40.

[0145] This allows the user to select and operate either pressing portion PS1 or pressing portion PS2 according to preference (e.g., dominant hand), improving maintainability. Also, the blade-side connecting member 60 can be made symmetrical in its longitudinal direction, improving manufacturability of the blade-side connecting member 60 while eliminating component orientation and improving assembly. Furthermore, regardless of whether the wiper blade 40 is a lockback type, the wiper blade 40 can be easily removed from the wiper arm 30, which also improves maintainability.

[0146] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the first and second tip-side inclined surfaces 65a, 66a and the first and second base-side inclined surfaces 65b, 66b provided on the wiper blade 40 are positioned closer to the rear window GS than the axis CT.

[0147] This allows the wiper blade 40 to rotate at an angle β degrees relative to the wiper arm 30 during wiping operation, ensuring sufficient wiping performance of the wiper blade 40. Furthermore, the wiper blade 40 can be easily removed from the wiper arm 30 by using the "lever principle" when the wiper blade 40 is rotated at an angle γ degrees relative to the wiper arm 30 during maintenance of the wiper device 10.

[0148] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the wiper arm 30 is provided with a pair of forward and return side wall portions 32a, 32b arranged opposite each other in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 40, and a pair of first and second connecting wall portions 51a, 51b arranged between the pair of forward and return side wall portions 32a, 32b and supporting the connecting shaft portion 52, and the first and second tip side abutment portions 53a, 54a and the first and second base end side abutment portions 53b, 54b are provided on the surfaces of the pair of first and second connecting wall portions 51a, 51b facing the rear windshield GS and are parallel to the surfaces of the pair of forward and return side wall portions 32a, 32b facing the rear windshield GS.

[0149] As a result, when the wiper arm 30 is viewed from the wiping direction of the wiper blade 40, the first and second tip-side abutment portions 53a, 54a and the first and second base-side abutment portions 53b, 54b can be hidden by the outward-traveling-side and return-traveling-side wall portions 32a, 32b or formed along the outward-traveling-side and return-traveling-side wall portions 32a, 32b, thereby improving the overall appearance of the wiper device 10.

[0150] In addition, according to this embodiment, the wiper blade 40 has first and second tip-side inclined surfaces 65a, 66a and first and second base-side inclined surfaces 65b, 66b that are inclined so as to approach the rear window GS as they move away from the pair of retaining claws 71 in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 40.

[0151] This allows the rotation angle of the wiper blade 40 relative to the wiper arm 30 during the wiping operation to be within a sufficient angle range of β degrees, thereby ensuring sufficient wiping performance of the wiper blade 40.

[0152] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the wiper arm 30 and the wiper blade 40 rotate in one direction beyond the rotation angle β degrees, the first and second tip abutment portions 53a and 54a come into line contact with the first and second tip inclined surfaces 65a and 66a. Also, when the wiper arm 30 and the wiper blade 40 rotate in the other direction beyond the rotation angle β degrees, the first and second base abutment portions 53b and 54b come into line contact with the first and second base inclined surfaces 65b and 66b.

[0153] This eliminates point contact between the first and second tip-side abutment portions 53a, 54a and the first and second tip-side inclined surfaces 65a, 66a, and between the first and second base-side abutment portions 53b, 54b and the first and second base-side inclined surfaces 65b, 66b, and prevents wear between the first and second tip-side abutment portions 53a, 54a and the first and second tip-side inclined surfaces 65a, 66a, and between the first and second base-side abutment portions 53b, 54b and the first and second base-side inclined surfaces 65b, 66b. This improves the durability of the wiper device 10.

[0154] In addition, according to this embodiment, the blade side connecting member 60 has a vertebra holding portion 61 that is arranged on the rear window GS side and holds the blade rubber 41 that wipes the rear window GS, and a connecting main body portion 70 that is arranged on the opposite side of the vertebra holding portion 61 from the rear window GS side and is equipped with a pair of holding claws 71, and on both longitudinal sides of the vertebra holding portion 61 are provided a tip portion T1 and a base portion T2 that cover the end of the rubber holder 43 that covers the opposite side of the blade rubber 41 from the rear window GS side, and the tip portion T1 is provided with first and second tip side inclined surfaces 65a, 66a, and the base portion T2 is provided with first and second base side inclined surfaces 65b, 66b.

[0155] This covers the end of the rubber holder 43, enhancing the sense of unity between the rubber holder 43 and the vertebra holding portion 61, thereby improving the overall appearance of the wiper device 10.

[0156] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the connecting main body portion 70 is tiltable in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 40 inside a pair of first and second connecting wall portions 51a, 51b provided on the wiper arm 30, the vertebra holding portion 61 is wider than the connecting main body portion 70 in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 40, and the first and second tip side inclined surfaces 65a, 66a and the first and second base side inclined surfaces 65b, 66b are inclined surfaces that are inclined so as to approach the rear window GS as they move away from the connecting main body portion 70 in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 40.

[0157] This prevents the first and second connecting walls 51a, 51b from coming into contact with the first and second distal inclined surfaces 65a, 66a and the first and second proximal inclined surfaces 65b, 66b when the connecting body 70 is inclined relative to the first and second connecting walls 51a, 51b. This allows the wiper blade 40 and the wiper arm 30 to be sufficiently inclined relative to each other without coming into contact with each other. This ensures that the first and second corners CN1, CN2 of the lip 41b slide against the rear windshield GS during the reciprocating wiping operation of the wiper device 10. This allows for more thorough wiping of rainwater, dust, and the like adhering to the rear windshield GS.

[0158] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the pair of holding claws 71 are provided at their bases with recessed grooves 72 that make the pair of holding claws 71 more flexible.

[0159] This makes it possible to disperse the stress acting on the base of the pair of retaining claws 71, and to prevent the base of the pair of retaining claws 71 from being damaged due to stress concentration, thereby improving the durability of the wiper device 10.

[0160] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the durability of the wiper device 10, thereby reducing the manufacturing energy required to manufacture the wiper device 10. This makes it possible to achieve 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).

[0161] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the arm-side connecting member 50 is provided with the first and second tip-side abutment portions 53 a, 54 a and the first and second base-side abutment portions 53 b, 54 b as the first abutment portions, and the blade-side connecting member 60 is provided with the first and second tip-side inclined surfaces 65 a, 66 a and the first and second base-side inclined surfaces 65 b, 66 b as the second abutment portions. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to provide only the first and second tip-side abutment portions 53 a, 54 a as the first abutment portions and only the first and second tip-side inclined surfaces 65 a, 66 a as the second abutment portions. Alternatively, only the first and second base end side abutment portions 53b, 54b may be provided as the first abutment portions, and only the first and second base end side inclined surfaces 65b, 66b may be provided as the second abutment portions.

[0162] In the above embodiment, the arm-side connecting member 50 of the wiper arm 30 is provided with the connecting shaft portion (connecting shaft) 52 as the first connecting portion, and the blade-side connecting member 60 of the wiper blade 40 is provided with the pair of retaining claws 71 as the second connecting portion, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the arm-side connecting member 50 of the wiper arm 30 may be provided with the pair of retaining claws as the first connecting portion, and the blade-side connecting member 60 of the wiper blade 40 may be provided with a connecting shaft as the second connecting portion. In other words, the connecting shapes of the connecting portions may be reversed.

[0163] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the vertebra holding portion 61 is provided with first and second tip-side inclined surfaces (inclined surfaces) 65a, 66a and first and second base-side inclined surfaces (inclined surfaces) 65b, 66b as second abutment portions, while the first and second tip-side abutment portions 53a, 54a and first and second base-side abutment portions 53b, 54b as first abutment portions are arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of the wiper arm 30. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first and second tip-side abutment portions 53a, 54a and first and second base-side abutment portions 53b, 54b may be inclined, and the first and second tip-side inclined surfaces 65a, 66a and first and second base-side inclined surfaces 65b, 66b may be surfaces that extend parallel to the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 40. In other words, the inclination relationship between the first abutment portion and the second abutment portion may be reversed.

[0164] However, the contact area between the first and second connecting walls 51a, 51b of the arm-side connecting member 50 and the connecting body 70 of the blade-side connecting member 60 is a portion that supports the tilting of the wiper blade 40 relative to the wiper arm 30. Therefore, it is desirable to make the contact area between them as large as possible. In other words, the tilt relationship between the first and second abutting portions as in the above embodiment can make the tilting support structure stronger.

[0165] In addition, in the above embodiment, the wiper arm 30 is applied to a wiper device 10 that wipes the windshield (rear glass) provided on the back door of a vehicle such as an automobile, but the present invention is not limited to this and can also be applied to wiper devices that wipe the windshield of a vehicle such as an automobile, or the glass of an aircraft, railway vehicle, construction machinery, etc.

[0166] In addition, the material, shape, dimensions, number, installation location, etc. of each component in the above embodiments are arbitrary as long as they can achieve the present invention, and are not limited to the above embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0167] 10: wiper device, 20: arm head portion, 21: cover member, 30: wiper arm, 31: top wall portion, 32a: outgoing path side wall portion (outer wall portion), 32b: returning path side wall portion (outer wall portion), 33: arm connecting portion, 34: arm tip portion, 35: spring hook portion, 36: reinforcing rib, 40: wiper blade, 41: blade rubber, 41a: blade body, 41b: lip portion, 41c: neck portion, 41d: groove portion, 42: vertebra, 42a: engagement groove, 43: rubber holder, 43a: rubber holder side retaining claw, 44: end cap, 50: arm side connecting member, 51a: first connecting wall portion (side wall portion), 51b: second connecting wall portion (side wall portion), 52: connecting shaft portion (first connecting portion, connecting shaft), 53: first side wall end portion, 53a: first tip side abutment portion (first abutment portion), 53b: first base end side abutment portion (first abutment portion), 54: second side wall end portion, 54a: second tip side abutment portion (first abutment portion), 54b: second base end side abutment portion (first abutment portion), 60: blade side connecting member (connecting member), 61: vertebra holding portion (blade holding portion), 62a: first bulge portion, 62b: second bulge portion, 63a: first connecting member side holding claw, 63b: second connecting member side holding claw, 64: engaging convex portion, 65: first inclined surface, 65a: first tip-side inclined surface (second abutment portion), 65b: first base-side inclined surface (second abutment portion), 66: second inclined surface, 66a: second tip-side inclined surface (second abutment portion), 66b: second base-side inclined surface (second abutment portion), 67: connecting member base end portion (connecting member end portion), 68: connecting member tip portion (connecting member end portion), 70: connecting main body portion (adapter portion), 71: retaining claw (second connecting portion), 72: recessed groove, 73: first block portion, 74: first gap, 75a: first outward-side inclined wall, 75b: second outward-side inclined wall, 75c: first outward-side top portion, 75d: rear window side end portion, 75e: side opposite to the rear window side End, 76a: first inclined wall on the return path, 76b: second inclined wall on the return path, 76c: first top of the return path, 76d: end on the rear window side, 76e: end on the opposite side from the rear window side, 77: second block portion, 78: second gap, 79a: first inclined wall on the return path, 79b: second inclined wall on the return path, 79c: second top of the return path, 79d: end on the rear window side, 79e: end on the opposite side from the rear window side, 80a: first inclined wall on the return path, 80b: second inclined wall on the return path, 80c: second top of the return path, 80d: end on the rear window side, 80e: end on the opposite side from the rear window side, CL: gap, CN1: first corner,CN2: second corner, CT: shaft center, FL: pressing load, G1: outward gap, G2: return gap, GS: rear glass (wiping surface), L1, L1': first line segment, L2, L2': second line segment, L3, L3': third line segment, L4: clearance, LD: lifting load, PL: parting line, PS1, PS2: pressing part, SA: tilting center, T1: tip end (holder covering part), T2: base end (holder covering part), α degrees: tilt angle, β degrees: rotation angle (specified angle range), γ degrees: rotation angle,

Claims

1. A wiper device comprising: a wiper arm having a first connecting portion; and a wiper blade having a second connecting portion connected to the first connecting portion and configured to wipe a surface to be wiped, wherein the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are connected to each other so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in a wiping direction of the wiper blade, The wiper arm and the wiper blade are rotated relative to each other within a predetermined angle range around the axis during a wiping operation of the wiper blade, the wiper arm and the wiper blade have a first abutment portion and a second abutment portion, respectively, that abut against each other when the wiper arm and the wiper blade rotate beyond the predetermined angle range; Wiper device.

2. The wiper device according to claim 1, the wiper blade is provided with a connecting member extending in a longitudinal direction of the wiper blade, and in which the second connecting portion and the second abutting portion are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction, a connecting member end portion is provided on the opposite side of the connecting member in the longitudinal direction from the side on which the second abutting portion is disposed, The length of the line segment connecting the shaft center and the end of the connecting member is equal to or longer than the length of the line segment connecting the shaft center and the second abutment portion. Wiper device.

3. The wiper device according to claim 1 or 2, The first abutment portions are provided on both sides of the first connecting portion in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade, The second abutting portions are provided on both sides of the second connecting portion in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade. Wiper device.

4. The second abutment portion provided on the wiper blade is disposed closer to the wiping surface than the axis. The wiper device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The wiper device according to claim 1 or 2, The wiper arm has: a pair of outer wall portions disposed opposite to each other in a wiping direction of the wiper blade; a pair of side wall portions disposed between the pair of outer wall portions and supporting the first connecting portion; is established, the first abutment portions are provided on surfaces of the pair of side wall portions facing the wiping surface and are parallel to surfaces of the pair of outer wall portions facing the wiping surface; Wiper device.

6. The wiper device according to claim 5, The wiper blade is provided with an inclined surface that is inclined so as to approach the wiping surface as it moves away from the second connecting portion in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade, The inclined surface serves as the second abutment portion. Wiper device.

7. When the wiper arm and the wiper blade rotate beyond the predetermined angle range, the first abutment portion comes into line contact with the second abutment portion. The wiper device according to claim 6.

8. The wiper device according to claim 2, The connecting member is a blade holding portion that is disposed on the wiping surface side and that holds a blade rubber that wipes the wiping surface; an adapter portion disposed on the opposite side of the blade holding portion from the wiping surface side and including the second connecting portion; and a holder covering portion for covering an end of a rubber holder that covers the side of the blade rubber opposite to the wiping surface side, on both longitudinal sides of the blade holding portion; The second abutment portion is provided on the holder covering portion. Wiper device.

9. The adapter portion is inclined in the wiping direction of the wiper blade on the inner side of a pair of side walls provided on the wiper arm, The blade holding portion is wider than the adapter portion in the wiping direction of the wiper blade, The second abutment portion has an inclined surface that is inclined so as to approach the wiping surface as it moves away from the adapter portion in the wiping direction of the wiper blade. The wiper device according to claim 8.

10. The wiper device according to claim 1 or 2, the first connecting portion is a connecting shaft extending in a wiping direction of the wiper blade, the second connecting portion is a pair of flexible retaining claws disposed opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade and into which the connecting shaft is inserted; A recessed groove is provided at the base of each of the pair of holding claws to facilitate bending of the pair of holding claws. Wiper device.

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