Wiper arm clamp mounting structure

Abstract

To provide a clamp attachment structure of a wiper arm which enables easy attachment of a clamp regardless of a length of a piece arm.SOLUTION: A wiper arm 10 includes: a piece arm 30; and an elongated retainer 20 having a holding part 23 which holds the piece arm 30 in a state that a tip of the piece arm 30 is exposed. A clamp 40 is attached to an outer peripheral surface of the retainer 20 and configured to hold a washer hose 50. The holding part 23 has a pair of first cutout parts 25. The clamp 40 has a protruding part 44 which fits in the pair of first cutout parts 25 in a concavo-convex relationship.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a clamp mounting structure for a wiper arm. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a wiper arm. This wiper arm includes a shank (hereinafter, retainer) and an arm piece (hereinafter, piece arm). The retainer is connected to an arm head that is rotatably attached to a pivot shaft provided on a vehicle body. The base end of the piece arm is fixed to the retainer by crimping the tip of the retainer. In other words, the retainer holds the piece arm with the tip of the piece arm exposed. A wiper blade is connected to the tip of the piece arm.

[0003] A washer nozzle that sprays washer fluid onto a surface to be wiped, such as a windshield, and a clamp are attached to the piece arm. A hose that supplies washer fluid to the washer nozzle is connected to the washer nozzle.

[0004] The hose is held by a clamp and positioned along the retainer and the piece arm. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-151204 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In such a wiper arm, if the length of the piece arm protruding from the retainer is short, it is difficult to secure a location for attaching a clamp. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A clamp mounting structure for a wiper arm to solve the above problem includes a wiper arm including a piece arm, a long retainer having a holding portion for holding the piece arm with a tip of the piece arm exposed, and a clamp attached to an outer circumferential surface of the retainer and configured to hold a washer hose. The holding portion has a first fitting portion, and the clamp has a second fitting portion that fits in a concave-convex relationship with the first fitting portion.

[0008] According to this configuration, the clamp is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the retainer by fitting the second fitting portion of the clamp into the first fitting portion formed on the holding portion of the retainer in a convex-concave relationship. The clamp then holds the washer hose. Therefore, the clamp can be easily attached regardless of the length of the piece arm protruding from the retainer.

[0009] In the above-mentioned clamp mounting structure for the wiper arm, it is preferable that the retainer is made of a metal plate, the holding portion has a top wall and a pair of side walls, the top wall and the pair of side walls cover the outer peripheral surface of the piece arm, the top wall constitutes a design surface of the retainer, the pair of side walls extend from both sides in the width direction of the top wall and have edges that face each other in the width direction on the opposite side to the top wall across the piece arm, the first fitting portion is a recess provided in at least one of the pair of side walls, and the second fitting portion is a convex portion that fits into the recess.

[0010] According to this configuration, since the first fitting portion is a recess provided in at least one of a pair of side walls of the holding portion of the retainer, it is possible to prevent the design surface of the retainer from being damaged by adding the first fitting portion.

[0011] Furthermore, with the above-described configuration, the recess can be formed at the same time as the retainer is formed by pressing the metal plate, which prevents the addition of the first fitting portion from making it difficult to form the retainer.

[0012] In the above-mentioned wiper arm clamp mounting structure, it is preferable that the recess is a notch formed in at least one of the end edges of the pair of side walls. According to this configuration, the recess is less likely to be visible from the front of the wiper arm, which further prevents the design of the retainer from being damaged.

[0013] In the above-mentioned wiper arm clamp mounting structure, it is preferable that the notch is formed on both of the end edges of the pair of side walls, and the two notches have symmetrical shapes in the width direction.

[0014] According to this configuration, the recess is located at the center in the width direction, which makes it easier for the attitude of the clamp attached to the outer circumferential surface of the retainer to be stable, and therefore the clamp can be appropriately attached to the retainer.

[0015] In the above-mentioned wiper arm clamp mounting structure, it is preferable that the inner surface of the recess has a planar first surface, and the outer surface of the convex portion has a planar second surface in surface contact with the first surface.

[0016] According to this configuration, the first surface constituting the inner circumferential surface of the recess and the second surface constituting the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion are in surface contact with each other, so that the protrusion is prevented from rotating relative to the recess, thereby preventing rattling of the clamp.

[0017] In addition, according to the above configuration, the second surface of the protrusion is in surface contact with the first surface of the recess, so that the stress acting on the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion is dispersed, thereby making it possible to suppress stress concentration on the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion. Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, the clamp can be easily attached regardless of the length of the piece arm. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a clamp mounting structure of a wiper arm according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing the clamp mounting structure of the wiper arm according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the retainer and the piece arm separated from each other before being crimped in the same embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the wiper arm of the embodiment in a state where the clamp is not attached. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a bottom view showing the wiper arm of the embodiment in a state where the clamp is not attached. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the clamp of the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Hereinafter, one embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The clamp mounting structure for a wiper arm according to this embodiment is applied to a vehicle wiper device.

[0021] 1 and 2, the wiper device includes a wiper arm 10 including a piece arm 30 and a retainer 20, a washer hose 50, a washer nozzle 60, and a clamp 40. Although not shown, the wiper device also includes a wiper blade.

[0022] <Peace Arm 30> As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the piece arm 30 has a long plate shape and is made of a metal wire.

[0023] 1 and 2, piece arm 30 has, in order from the base end side, base end 31 extending linearly, middle portion 32 extending at an angle with respect to the extending direction of base end 31, and tip end 33 extending at an angle with respect to middle portion 32. One surface of piece arm 30 in the plate thickness direction constitutes a design surface.

[0024] In the following description, the extension direction, width direction, and thickness direction of the piece arm 30 will be referred to as an extension direction X, a width direction Y, and a thickness direction Z, respectively. The tip side portion of the tip portion 33 is bent 180 degrees in the thickness direction Z to the opposite side to the design surface, and is configured to be connected to a wiper blade (not shown).

[0025] 3 and 5, two protrusions 34 are provided at an interval between each other in the extension direction X on the surface opposite to the design surface of the base end portion 31. Each of the protrusions 34 has a circular cross-sectional shape.

[0026] <Retainer 20> As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the retainer 20 has an elongated shape extending along the base end portion 31 of the piece arm 30, and is formed by pressing a metal plate.

[0027] The retainer 20 has a top wall 21 and a pair of side walls 22. The top wall 21 faces the piece arm 30 in the thickness direction Z. The pair of side walls 22 extend and bend relative to the top wall 21 on both sides of the top wall 21 in the width direction Y. The top wall 21 and the pair of side walls 22 cover the outer peripheral surface of the base end 31 of the piece arm 30.

[0028] The surface of the top wall 21 opposite the piece arm 30 constitutes the design surface of the retainer 20. A holding portion 23 is provided at the tip of the retainer 20 to hold the piece arm 30 with the middle portion 32 and tip portion 33 of the piece arm 30 exposed.

[0029] The holding portion 23 has a top wall 21 and a pair of side walls 22 . 5 and 8, a pair of side walls 22 constituting holding portion 23 are bent so as to approach each other on the opposite side of top wall 21 across base end 31 of piece arm 30. The inner peripheral surfaces of top wall 21 and side walls 22 constituting holding portion 23 contact the outer peripheral surface of base end 31.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 5, the pair of side walls 22 have edges 24 facing each other in the width direction Y. A first cutout portion 25 is formed in each of the edges 24 of the pair of side walls 22. The two first cutout portions 25 have symmetrical shapes in the width direction Y. The first cutout portion 25 has a rectangular shape when viewed from below. The inner circumferential surface of the first cutout portion 25 has a planar bottom surface 25a extending in the extension direction X.

[0031] Two second cutouts 26 are formed at an interval between each other in the extension direction X on the edge 24 of each pair of side walls 22. That is, two sets of second cutouts 26, totaling four, are provided on the edge 24 of each pair of side walls 22. The two sets of second cutouts 26 each have a symmetrical shape in the width direction Y. The second cutouts 26 are arc-shaped when viewed from below.

[0032] The two sets of second cutouts 26 are engaged with the outer circumferential surfaces of the two protrusions 34, respectively. In this embodiment, one first cutout portion 25 is provided between two second cutout portions 26 in the extension direction X.

[0033] With base end 31 of piece arm 30 in contact with the inner surface of top wall 21, the pair of side walls 22 are crimped from the state shown in FIG. 3 to form holding portion 23 shown in FIG.

[0034] <Washer hose 50> As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the washer hose 50 is disposed along the wiper arm 10.

[0035] The washer hose 50 is made of a flexible synthetic resin material. A washer tank (not shown) mounted on a vehicle is connected to a base end of the washer hose 50. A washer nozzle 60 is connected to a tip end of the washer hose 50.

[0036] <Washer nozzle 60> As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the washer nozzle 60 has a connection portion 61 to which the tip of the washer hose 50 is connected, and an attachment portion 63 that is attached to the tip portion 33 of the piece arm 30.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, the washer nozzle 60 has an ejection portion 62 that ejects the washer fluid toward the surface to be wiped. The connection portion 61 and the ejection portion 62 are in communication with each other through a flow passage (not shown).

[0038] The washer nozzle 60 is made of a synthetic resin material. <Clamp 40> As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 8, a clamp 40 for holding a washer hose 50 is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the holding portion 23 of the retainer 20.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the clamp 40 has a base portion 41 extending in an extension direction X and a width direction Y. At one end in the width direction Y of the base portion 41, a standing wall 42 extending in one direction in the thickness direction Z is provided.

[0040] A first arm 43 extending in the width direction Y and facing the base portion 41 is provided at the tip of the standing wall 42. A tip 43a of the first arm 43 extends toward the base portion 41 in a curved manner.

[0041] A first opening 45 is formed between the tip 43a of the first arm portion 43 and the base portion 41 over the entirety in the extension direction X. The base portion 41, the standing wall 42, and the first arm portion 43 form a retainer holding portion 46 that holds the holding portion 23 of the retainer 20.

[0042] A convex portion 44 that protrudes toward the first arm portion 43 is provided in the center of the surface of the base portion 41 that faces the first arm portion 43. As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion 44 has an opposing surface 44a opposing the standing wall 42 in the width direction Y, and an inclined surface 44b positioned on the opposite side in the width direction Y to the opposing surface 44a.

[0043] The facing surface 44a is flat and extends in both the extension direction X and the thickness direction Z. The inclined surface 44b is inclined so that the protruding height decreases as it approaches the first opening 45.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion 44 has a pair of side surfaces 44c oriented in the extension direction X. The side surface 44c is flat and extends in both the width direction Y and the thickness direction Z.

[0045] 8, the protrusions 44 are fitted in a concave-convex relationship with the pair of first cutouts 25. Here, the opposing surface 44a is in surface contact with one bottom surface 25a of the pair of first cutouts 25.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, second arm portions 47 extending in the other direction in the thickness direction Z are provided on both ends of the base portion 41 in the width direction Y. A second opening 48 is formed between the tips of the second arms 47 over the entirety of the extending direction X.

[0047] The base portion 41 and the inner circumferential surfaces of the pair of second arm portions 47 have an arc-shaped cross section. The base portion 41 and the pair of second arm portions 47 form a hose holding portion 49 that holds the washer hose 50.

[0048] The clamp 40 is integrally formed from a synthetic resin material. In this embodiment, the pair of first cutouts 25 correspond to the first fitting portion, i.e., the recessed portion, according to the present invention. The protruding portion 44 corresponds to the second fitting portion, according to the present invention. The bottom surface 25a corresponds to the first surface, according to the present invention. The opposing surface 44a corresponds to the second surface, according to the present invention.

[0049] The operation of this embodiment will be described. The convex portions 44 of the clamp 40 are fitted in a convex-concave relationship with the pair of first notches 25 formed in the holding portion 23 of the retainer 20, whereby the clamp 40 is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the retainer 20. Then, the washer hose 50 is held by the clamp 40.

[0050] The effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) Holding portion 23 of retainer 20 has a pair of first notches 25 that constitute a first fitting portion. Clamp 40 has protrusions 44 that constitute a second fitting portion that fits into the pair of first notches 25 in a convex-concave relationship.

[0051] With this configuration, the above-mentioned effect is achieved, and therefore the clamp 40 can be easily attached regardless of the length of the piece arm 30 protruding from the retainer 20. (2) The first fitting portion is a first cutout portion 25 serving as a recess provided in each of a pair of side walls 22 constituting the holding portion 23. The second fitting portion is a protrusion 44 that fits into the first cutout portion 25.

[0052] According to this configuration, the first fitting portion is the first notch portion 25 provided on both of the pair of side walls 22 of the holding portion 23 of the retainer 20, thereby preventing the design surface of the retainer 20 from being damaged by adding the first fitting portion.

[0053] (3) The first cutouts 25 are formed on both of the end edges 24 of the pair of side walls 22 . According to this configuration, the first cutout portion 25 as a recess can be formed at the same time as the metal plate is pressed to form the retainer 20. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of a problem in which the formation of the retainer 20 becomes difficult due to the addition of the first cutout portion 25, i.e., the first fitting portion.

[0054] (4) The two first cutouts 25 have symmetrical shapes in the width direction Y. According to this configuration, the first fitting portion formed by the two first cutouts 25 is located at the center in the width direction Y. This makes it easier for the posture of the clamp 40 attached to the outer circumferential surface of the retainer 20 to be stable. Therefore, the clamp 40 can be appropriately attached to the retainer 20.

[0055] (5) The inner circumferential surface of the first cutout portion 25 has a flat bottom surface 25a. The outer circumferential surface of the protrusion 44 of the clamp 40 has a flat opposing surface 44a that is in surface contact with the bottom surface 25a. According to this configuration, the bottom surface 25a constituting the inner peripheral surface of the first cutout portion 25 and the opposing surface 44a constituting the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion portion 44 are in surface contact with each other, so that the protrusion portion 44 can be prevented from rotating with respect to the first cutout portion 25. This can prevent the clamp 40 from rattling.

[0056] Furthermore, with the above configuration, the opposing surface 44a is in surface contact with the bottom surface 25a, dispersing stress acting on the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion 44. This makes it possible to suppress stress concentration on the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion 44.

[0057] (6) The outer circumferential surface of the protrusion 44 of the clamp 40 has an inclined surface 44b on the first opening 45 side in the width direction Y. According to this configuration, when the retainer 20 is fitted into the retainer holding portion 46 of the clamp 40 through the first opening 45, the inclined surface 44b makes it easier for the retainer 20 to climb over the protrusion 44. Therefore, the ease of assembling the clamp 40 to the retainer 20 can be improved.

[0058] <Example of change> This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that there is no technical contradiction.

[0059] In the above embodiment, one first cutout portion 25 is provided between two second cutout portions 26 in the extension direction X, but two second cutout portions 26 and one first cutout portion 25 may be arranged in sequence in the extension direction X. Also, the number of second cutout portions 26 in the extension direction X can be changed as appropriate. Also, the second cutout portion 26 can be omitted.

[0060] The outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 44 of the clamp 40 does not have to have the inclined surface 44b. In this case, the surface corresponding to the inclined surface 44b can be, for example, a flat surface extending in both the extension direction X and the thickness direction Z, similar to the opposing surface 44a.

[0061] The first cutout 25 is not limited to a rectangular shape when viewed from below, and may be a trapezoid or a triangle when viewed from below. Even in this case, the first cutout 25, i.e., the inner peripheral surface of the recess, has a flat first surface. In this case, the shape of the protrusion 44 may be appropriately changed in accordance with the shape of the first cutout 25.

[0062] The first cutout 25 is not limited to having a flat bottom surface 25a, i.e., the first surface, on the inner circumferential surface. The first cutout 25 may be an arc-shaped cutout as viewed from below, similar to the second cutout 26. In this case, the shape of the protrusion 44 may be appropriately changed in accordance with the shape of the first cutout 25.

[0063] The two first cutouts 25 may have an asymmetric shape in the width direction Y. The first cutout 25 may be provided on only one of the edges 24 of the pair of side walls 22 .

[0064] The recess according to the present invention is not limited to the first cutout 25 formed in the edge 24 of the side wall 22, but may be a hole penetrating the side wall 22 in the thickness direction Z thereof. The holding portion 23 is not limited to having the top wall 21 and the pair of side walls 22. For example, it may have a cylindrical peripheral wall that covers the outer periphery of the piece arm 30. Furthermore, the retainer 20 including the holding portion 23 may be made of a synthetic resin material or the like.

[0065] The first fitting portion according to the present invention is not limited to a recess such as a notch or a hole, and may be a protrusion. In this case, the second fitting portion provided on the clamp 40 may be a recess that fits into the protrusion in a convex-concave relationship. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 10…Wiper arm 20…Retainer 21…Top wall 22…Side wall 23...Holding part 24…Edge 25...First notch portion (first fitting portion) 25a...Bottom surface (first surface) 26…Second notch 30…Peace Arm 31...Proximal end 32…Middle section 33...Tip 34…Protrusion 40…Clamp 41…Base section 42...Standing wall 43...First arm 43a…Tip 44...Convex portion (second fitting portion) 44a…opposing surface (second surface) 44b…Slope surface 44c...side 45…First opening 46...Retainer holding part 47...Second arm 48...Second opening 49…Hose holder 50…Washer hose 60…Washer nozzle 61…Connection 62...Injection part 63…Mounting part

Claims

1. With peace arms, a wiper arm including a retainer having an elongated shape and a holding portion for holding the piece arm in a state where a tip portion of the piece arm is exposed; a clamp attached to an outer peripheral surface of the retainer and configured to hold a washer hose; The holding portion has a first fitting portion, The clamp has a second fitting portion that fits in a convex-concave relationship with the first fitting portion. Clamp mounting structure for wiper arm.

2. The retainer is made of a metal plate, The retaining portion has a top wall and a pair of side walls, The top wall and the pair of side walls cover an outer circumferential surface of the piece arm, The top wall constitutes a design surface of the retainer, the pair of side walls extend from both sides of the top wall in a width direction and have edges opposed to each other in the width direction on the opposite side to the top wall across the piece arm, The first fitting portion is a recess provided in at least one of the pair of side walls, The second fitting portion is a protrusion that fits into the recess.

2. The wiper arm clamp mounting structure according to claim 1.

3. The recess is a notch formed in at least one of the edges of the pair of side walls.

3. The wiper arm clamp mounting structure according to claim 2.

4. The notch is formed on both of the end edges of the pair of side walls, The two cutout portions have symmetric shapes in the width direction.

4. The wiper arm clamp mounting structure according to claim 3.

5. The inner circumferential surface of the recess has a planar first surface, The outer peripheral surface of the protrusion has a planar second surface in surface contact with the first surface. The clamp mounting structure for a wiper arm according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

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