JP2020050046A - Wiper lever assembly and wiper blade - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to improve aerodynamic characteristics while securing good wiping performance.
A wiper blade includes a wiper lever assembly having a tournament structure having excellent wiping performance. In the wiper lever assembly 20, a pair of movable covers are provided on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the main lever 22 to which the wiper arm is connected at the center in the longitudinal direction. The front wall 32 of the main lever 22 has a double structure of a front inner wall 36 serving as a rotation connecting portion with the yoke lever 96 and a front outer wall 34 forming a front portion of the fin surface 46. Since the front outer wall 34 is arranged on the front side (one side in the width direction) with respect to the front inner wall 36, the fin surface 46 having a downward slope toward the front side can be enlarged (extended) toward the front side. Thus, the gradient of the fin surface 46 can be set gently on the front side, so that aerodynamic characteristics can be improved.
[Selection diagram] FIG.

Description

  The present invention relates to a wiper lever assembly and a wiper blade.

  Patent Literature 1 below describes a flat type wiper blade that does not use a wiper lever assembly having a tournament structure in which a plurality of levers are connected in a tournament shape. In this wiper blade, rigidity and elasticity are given to the wiper strip (blade rubber) by a leaf spring-like support element (backing). The wiper blade also has a wind deflector strip fixed to the support element via the first and second claws. A fin surface is formed on the upper surface of the wind deflector strip for converting the traveling wind into a pressing force on the wiping surface side.

  Patent Document 2 described below discloses a wiper blade including a tournament structure lever member (wiper lever assembly), a blade rubber, and two movable covers. The lever member includes a main lever whose center in the longitudinal direction is detachably connected to the wiper arm, and two yoke levers rotatably connected to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the main lever. A movable cover is rotatably connected to each of these yoke levers, and a blade rubber is held by each of the yoke levers and each of the movable covers. A fin surface is formed on the upper surfaces of the main lever and each movable cover to convert the traveling wind into a pressing force on the wiping surface side.

JP 2006-513928 A International Publication No. 2010/035794

  In recent years, as the wiping environment of the wiper changes, for example, when the application of the water-repellent coating agent to the wiping surface is fixed, a higher-performance wiper blade is required. In this regard, since the wiper blade described in Patent Document 1 is of a flat type, the height of protrusion from the wiping surface can be suppressed low, and the aerodynamic characteristics are improved. However, compared to the configuration using a wiper lever assembly having a tournament structure, the distribution pressure on the wiping surface is less likely to be uniform, so that there is a disadvantage that the wiping performance is inferior. On the other hand, in the wiper blade described in Patent Document 2, good wiping performance can be obtained by the wiper lever assembly having the tournament structure, but the height from the wiping surface increases, and the wiper blade is formed on the upper surface of the main lever and each movable cover. The slope of the fin surface becomes steep. As a result, the drag acting upon wiping is increased, and there is room for improvement from the viewpoint of improving aerodynamic characteristics.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a wiper lever assembly capable of improving aerodynamic characteristics while securing good wiping performance, and a wiper blade including the wiper lever assembly.

  In the wiper lever assembly according to the first aspect of the present invention, the distal end portion of the wiper arm is connected to the central portion in the longitudinal direction, and the upper surface on both sides in the longitudinal direction is formed with a first fin surface inclined downward to one side in the width direction. A main lever, and a second fin surface that is continuously arranged on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the main lever, and that is inclined downward toward one side in the width direction on the upper surface, is formed continuously with the first fin surface; A pair of movable covers provided with gripping portions for gripping the blade rubber on the side opposite to the lever, and connected to the main lever and the movable covers so as to be rotatable around axes extending in the width direction, respectively, A pair of yoke levers provided with gripping portions for gripping the blade rubber at both ends in the direction, and both longitudinal sides of the main lever and each of the movable covers Each has a front wall and a rear wall facing each other in the width direction, and an upper wall connecting upper ends of the front wall and the rear wall in the width direction, and each of the front walls is a front inner wall, respectively. And a front outer wall formed from the front inner wall to one side in the width direction continuously with the upper wall, and each of the yoke levers respectively corresponds to each of the front inner wall and each of the rear walls. The first fin surface and the second fin surface are respectively formed on the upper surfaces of the upper wall and the front outer wall.

  In the wiper lever assembly according to the first aspect, a pair of movable covers are continuously arranged on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the main lever in which the distal end of the wiper arm is connected to the central part in the longitudinal direction. The first fin surface and the second fin surface, each of which is inclined downward toward one side in the width direction, are formed on the upper surface on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the main lever and the upper surface of each movable cover, respectively. A pair of yoke levers are connected to the main lever so as to be rotatable about an axis along the width direction, and the movable covers are respectively rotated about the axis along the width direction for the pair of yoke levers. It is connected as possible. Further, the blade rubber is gripped by gripping portions provided on the opposite side of each movable cover from the main lever and gripping portions provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of each yoke lever. As a result, the pressing force applied to the main lever from the wiper arm is also distributed in the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber via each yoke lever, so that the pressing force acts even at the end of the wiper blade, and the wiping performance is improved. Become.

  Further, in this wiper lever assembly, both the longitudinal side of the main lever and each movable cover are respectively a front wall and a rear wall opposed in the width direction, and an upper wall connecting the upper ends of the front wall and the rear wall in the width direction. Each of the front walls has a front inner wall, and a front outer wall formed from the front inner wall to the upper wall continuously toward one side in the width direction. Each yoke lever is rotatably connected to each front inner wall and each rear wall, and each upper fin surface and each front fin surface is connected so that each first fin surface and each second fin surface are connected. It is formed on the upper surface of the outer wall. That is, each of the front walls has a double structure of each of the front inner walls serving as a rotational connection portion with each of the yoke levers and each of the front outer walls forming the fin surfaces. Since each front outer wall is disposed on one side in the width direction with respect to each front inner wall, the above-mentioned fin surface having a downward slope toward one side in the width direction can be enlarged (extended) to one side in the width direction. it can. Thus, the gradient of each fin surface can be set gently on one side in the width direction, so that aerodynamic characteristics can be improved.

  A wiper lever assembly according to a second aspect of the present invention is the wiper lever assembly according to the first aspect, wherein one of the concave portion and the convex portion formed on each of the front inner wall and each of the rear walls is formed on both surfaces in the width direction of the yoke lever. The yoke lever is rotatably connected to the main lever and the movable cover by being fitted into the other of the four convex portions and the concave portions, respectively.

  According to the wiper lever assembly of the second aspect, since it is configured as described above, for example, as compared with a case where the main lever and the movable cover and the yoke lever are rotatably connected using the shaft member. The structure and assembly of the main lever and the pivotal connection between the movable cover and the yoke lever are simplified.

  In the wiper lever assembly according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, each of the front inner walls is reinforced with a flexible portion formed with one of the concave portion and the convex portion, and reinforced more than the flexible portion. The yoke lever has a front projection formed so as to be in contact with the reinforcing part.

  According to the wiper lever assembly of the third aspect, one of the concave portion and the convex portion formed on each of the front inner wall and each rear wall of the main lever and the movable cover is replaced with four of the four formed on both surfaces in the width direction of the yoke lever. When fitting into the other of the convex portion and the concave portion, the flexible portion of each front inner wall can bend without being affected by the adjacent reinforcing portion. One of the parts can be easily fitted into the other of the convex part and the concave part of the yoke lever. Moreover, when a load is applied between the yoke lever, the main lever, and the movable cover, the front projections protruding from the yoke lever so as to be able to abut against the reinforcing portions of the front inner walls come into contact with the reinforcing portions. Thus, the load can be prevented or suppressed from being applied in the bending direction of the flexible portion. As a result, it is possible to prevent one of the concave portion and the convex portion formed on the flexible portion from being accidentally detached from the other of the convex portion and the concave portion of the yoke lever.

  In a wiper lever assembly according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, the reinforcing portion of each of the front inner walls is reinforced by a reinforcing rib connecting the front inner walls and the front outer walls in the width direction. ing.

  According to the wiper lever assembly of the fourth aspect, the reinforcing portion of each front inner wall of the main lever and the movable cover is connected to each front outer wall in the width direction by the reinforcing rib. Thereby, the reinforcing portion of each front inner wall can be further reinforced with a simple configuration.

  A wiper lever assembly according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the wiper lever assembly according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, wherein one of the concave portion and the convex portion is formed on a lower side of each of the rear walls. The yoke lever is formed with a rear projection protruding above the one of the concave portion and the convex portion of each of the rear walls so as to be able to come into contact therewith.

  According to the wiper lever assembly of the fifth aspect, one of the concave portion and the convex portion formed on each of the front inner wall and each rear wall of the main lever and the movable cover is replaced with four of the four formed on both surfaces in the width direction of the yoke lever. When each of the convex portion and the concave portion is fitted into the other, the rear wall of the main lever and the movable cover bends, so that one of the concave portion and the convex portion formed on the lower side of each rear wall is connected to the yoke lever. It can be fitted into the other of the projection and the recess. In addition, when a load is applied between the yoke lever, the main lever, and the movable cover, the rear projections protruding from the yoke lever are positioned at the upper side of each rear wall (that is, more forward and backward than the lower side of each rear wall). By abutting on a portion that is hardly bent, the distance from the bending fulcrum is shortened, and the bending of each rear wall can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to prevent one of the concave portion and the convex portion formed on each rear wall from being accidentally detached from the other of the convex portion and the concave portion of the yoke lever.

  In a wiper lever assembly according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, each of the front outer walls extends below each of the front inner walls.

  According to the wiper lever assembly of the sixth aspect, each front outer wall of the main lever and the movable cover extends below each front inner wall. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the airflow that has interfered with each front outer wall from one side in the width direction from interfering with each front inner wall.

  A wiper blade according to a seventh aspect of the present invention includes a blade rubber for wiping a wiping surface of a vehicle, and the blade rubber is gripped by the grips provided on the pair of movable covers and the pair of yoke levers. And the wiper lever assembly according to any one of the first to sixth aspects.

  In the wiper blade according to the seventh aspect, the blade rubber for wiping the wiping surface of the vehicle is gripped by the pair of movable covers provided in the wiper lever assembly and the grips provided on the pair of yoke levers. The above-described wiper lever assembly is of any one of the first to sixth aspects, so that the above-described effects can be obtained.

It is a perspective view of a wiper blade concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view of the same wiper blade. It is a front view of the same wiper blade. It is a side view of the same wiper blade. It is an exploded perspective view of the same wiper blade. It is an exploded perspective view of the same wiper blade. FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a part of the wiper blade, and is a view illustrating a cut surface taken along line F7-F7 in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a part of the wiper blade, and is a view illustrating a cut surface taken along line F8-F8 in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a part of the wiper blade, and is a view showing a cut surface along a line F9-F9 in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a part of the wiper blade, and is a diagram showing a cut surface along a line F10-F10 in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a part of the wiper blade, and is a diagram showing a cut surface along a line F11-F11 in FIG. 3. It is sectional drawing which looked at the cut surface shown in FIG. 7 from the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the cut surface illustrated in FIG. 8 as viewed from a longitudinal direction of the wiper blade. It is sectional drawing which looked at the cut surface shown in FIG. 9 from the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade. It is sectional drawing which looked at the cut surface shown in FIG. 10 from the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a distal end portion of the wiper lever assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from below. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a base end portion of the wiper lever assembly as viewed from below. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a part of the wiper lever assembly. It is a perspective view showing the main lever of the same wiper lever assembly. It is a perspective view showing the main lever of the same wiper lever assembly. FIG. 21 is an enlarged perspective view showing a part of FIG. 20. It is a perspective view which shows the movable cover of the wiper lever assembly. It is a perspective view showing the yoke lever of the same wiper lever assembly. It is a perspective view showing the yoke lever of the same wiper lever assembly. It is a perspective view of the metal part which the yoke lever has. It is a perspective view of the same metal part. It is a perspective view of the same metal part. FIG. 4 is an aerodynamic analysis diagram of the wiper blade according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an aerodynamic analysis diagram of a wiper blade according to a first comparative example. FIG. 7 is an aerodynamic analysis diagram of a wiper blade according to a second comparative example. It is sectional drawing corresponding to FIG. 12 which shows the modification of the wiper blade which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing corresponding to FIG. 14 which shows the modification of the wiper blade which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, the wiper blade 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the drawings, some reference numerals may be omitted in order to make the drawings easier to see. In each drawing, the scale of the drawing is appropriately changed for convenience of explanation.

  The wiper blade 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 15 wipes raindrops and the like attached to a wiping surface WS which is an outer surface of a windshield glass G (not shown in FIGS. 12 to 15) of a vehicle (automobile). And a wiper blade having a so-called tournament structure. The wiper blade 10 is connected to a distal end of a wiper arm 12 (not shown in FIG. 1) and receives a pressing force from the wiper arm 12 toward the wiping surface WS. The wiper arm 12 and the wiper blade 10 constitute a vehicle wiper. The base end of the wiper arm 12 is fixed to a pivot shaft (not shown) that is reciprocated within a predetermined angle range by the driving force of a wiper motor (not shown), and the wiper arm 12 reciprocates by the reciprocating rotation of the pivot shaft. Rocked. Thereby, the wiper blade 10 connected to the tip of the wiper arm 12 is set at the lower inversion position set at the lower end of the windshield glass G, and at the upper end of the windshield glass G from the lower inversion position. Reciprocatingly swinging between the upper reversing position.

  The wiper blade 10 includes a blade rubber 14 for wiping the wiping surface WS, and a wiper lever assembly 20 for gripping the blade rubber 14. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 18, the wiper lever assembly 20 includes a main lever 22 having a distal end portion of the wiper arm 12 connected to a central portion in a longitudinal direction, and a pair of movable levers provided on both longitudinal sides of the main lever 22. A pair of yokes in which the cover 60 is rotatably connected to the main lever 22 and the pair of movable covers 60 (in other words, the movable cover 60 is rotatably connected to the pair of yoke levers 96). It is constituted by a lever 96. The wiper lever assembly 20 has a configuration in which the blade rubber 14 is gripped by a pair of movable covers 60 and a pair of yoke levers 96.

  Hereinafter, the respective components of the wiper blade 10 will be described in detail. In the following description, arrows UP and FR, which are appropriately shown in the drawings, are respectively above and forward of the wiper blade 10, and the side on which the arrow BE is directed is the base end side (oscillation center side) of the wiper blade 10. I do. The up-down direction of the wiper blade 10 is a direction orthogonal to the wiping surface WS, and the front-rear direction of the wiper blade 10 is the width direction of the wiper blade 10 and substantially coincides with the wiping direction. Hereinafter, when the description is simply made using the front, rear, up and down directions, the direction with respect to the wiper blade 10 is indicated.

(About blade rubber)
The blade rubber 14 is formed in a long shape by, for example, rubber. The blade rubber 14 includes an upper portion 14A gripped by the wiper lever assembly 20 and a wiping portion 14B extending downward from the upper portion 14A (to the wiping surface WS) and having a lower end portion pressed against the wiping surface WS. Have. A pair of backing grooves 16 that are open on both sides in the front-rear direction (width direction) are formed in the upper portion 14 </ b> A of the blade rubber 14 along the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber 14. A backing (not shown) made of a metal leaf spring material is fitted into each of the backing grooves 16. These backings distribute the pressing force to the wiping surface WS received from the wiper arm 12 in the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber 14. In addition, a pair of gripping grooves 18 opened on both sides in the front-rear direction (width direction) below the pair of backing grooves 16 in the upper portion 14A of the blade rubber 14 along the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber 14. Is formed. The vertical positions of these gripping grooves 18 correspond to gripping portions 80 and 110 of the wiper lever assembly 20, which will be described later.

(About wiper lever assembly)
The wiper lever assembly 20 includes the main lever 22, the pair of movable covers 60, and the pair of yoke levers 96, as described above. In the wiper lever assembly 20, a portion on the distal end side (opposite to the swing center of the wiper blade 10) and a portion on the base end side (on the swing center side of the wiper blade 10) are symmetric or substantially symmetric. It is formed in the shape of.

(About the main lever)
The main lever 22 is formed of, for example, a resin material and has a long shape. The main lever 22 forms an intermediate portion of the wiper lever assembly 20 in the longitudinal direction. The main lever 22 has a connecting portion 22A at the center in the longitudinal direction, and a pair of arms 22B on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the connecting portion 22A.

  As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the connecting portion 22A is formed in a rectangular frame shape having the longitudinal direction of the main lever 22 as viewed in the up-down direction. An opening 24 is formed in the connecting portion 22A so as to vertically pass through the connecting portion 22A. The opening 24 is formed in an elongated shape having the longitudinal direction of the main lever 22 as a longitudinal direction. A metal connecting shaft 26 connecting the front and rear walls of the connecting portion 22A is integrally formed at a central portion of the opening 24 in the longitudinal direction. The distal end of the wiper arm 12 is connected to the connecting shaft 26 via a connecting clip 28.

  The pair of arms 22B extend integrally from the connecting portion 22A to both sides in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 10. As shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 12, and 13, these arms 22B have open cross-sectional shapes that open downward (toward the wiping surface WS) in the longitudinal direction of the main lever 22. . As shown in FIGS. 12, 13, 19 to 21, each arm 22 </ b> B includes an upper wall 30, a front wall 32 extending downward from a front end of the upper wall 30, and an upper wall 30. The rear wall 40 extends downward from the rear end, and slightly rearward from the center in the front-rear direction of the upper wall 30, in other words, downwards between the front inner wall 36 and the rear wall 40 described later. It has an extended rear inner wall 42 and a plurality of reinforcing ribs 44 (see FIG. 21) spanned between the front surface of the rear inner wall 42 and the lower surface of the upper wall 30. The front wall 32 and the rear wall 40 face each other in the front-rear direction (width direction), and the upper wall 30 connects the upper ends of the front wall 32 and the rear wall 40 in the front-rear direction (width direction). The plurality of reinforcing ribs 44 are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the main lever 22, and are integrally connected to the upper wall 30 and the rear inner wall 42.

  The front wall 32 includes a front outer wall 34 and a front inner wall 36 facing each other in the front-rear direction (width direction), and a plurality of reinforcing ribs 38 connecting the front outer wall 34 and the front inner wall 36 in the front-rear direction (width direction). And The front outer wall 34 extends forward (one side in the width direction) and downward from the front end of the upper wall 30, and the front inner wall 36 is slightly behind the front outer wall 34 (slightly the other side in the width direction). It extends downward from the front end of the upper wall 30. That is, the front outer wall 34 is arranged on the front side (one side in the width direction) with respect to the front inner wall 36. The front outer wall 34 is convexly curved toward the front side (one side in the width direction) and upward. The length of the main lever 22 in the longitudinal direction of the front inner wall 36 is set smaller than that of the front outer wall 34, and the front inner wall 36 is not provided on the connecting portion 22A side of each arm 22B. The plurality of reinforcing ribs 38 are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the main lever 22 and are integrally connected to the upper wall 30, the front outer wall 34, and the front inner wall 36.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the front outer wall 34 extends below the front inner wall 36, and the lower end of the front outer wall 34 is located slightly lower than the lower end of the front inner wall 36. ing. The lower end of the front inner wall 36 and the lower end of the rear wall 40 are disposed at substantially the same position (height) in the vertical direction. The lower end of the rear inner wall 42 is located above the lower ends of the front inner wall 36 and the rear wall 40. The rear wall 40 is formed so that the dimension (thickness) in the front-rear direction increases from the upper end side connected to the upper wall 30 to the lower end side.

  The upper surface of each arm 22B (that is, both sides in the longitudinal direction of the main lever 22) configured as described above is formed by the upper surfaces of the upper wall 30 and the front outer wall 34. On the upper surface of each arm 22B, a fin surface (first fin surface) 46 is formed which is inclined downward toward the vehicle front side (ie, the front side in the width direction). Each fin surface 46 is formed on the upper surface of each upper wall 30 on the front side of the vehicle, and extends in the longitudinal direction of the main lever 22. These fin surfaces 46 extend slightly to the rear side from the center in the front-rear direction (width direction) of each arm 22B, and are curved so that the gradient increases toward the rear side. When the fin surfaces 46 receive the traveling wind during traveling of the vehicle, a pressing force is applied to the blade rubber 14 toward the wiping surface WS. Each of the arms 22B on which the fin surfaces 46 are formed has a height (vertical dimension) that is larger at the rear side than at the front side in the front-rear direction (width direction).

  As shown in FIGS. 12, 13, and 18 to 21, each arm 22 </ b> B (that is, both sides in the longitudinal direction of the main lever 22) has a main housing chamber for housing a part of the yoke lever 96. 48 are formed. The main storage chamber 48 is formed below the upper wall 30 between the front wall 32 and the rear wall 40, and opens to the lower side (the wiping surface WS side) and the outside of the main lever 22 in the longitudinal direction. . Further, the main housing chamber 48 has a height dimension (a dimension in the vertical direction) that is larger at the rear side than at the front side in the width direction. The above-described rear inner wall 42 is provided near the center in the front-rear direction of the main housing chamber 48, and the upper portion of the main housing chamber 48 is partitioned forward and rearward by the rear inner wall 42. A reinforcing wall 50 (see FIGS. 20 and 21) is provided between the main housing chamber 48 and the connecting portion 22A described above, and the reinforcing wall 50 allows the main housing chamber 48 and the inside of the connecting portion 22A to be connected to each other. Is partitioned.

  As shown in FIGS. 12, 13, 16 to 21, at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the main lever 22, the front and rear surfaces of each main storage chamber 48 in the width direction are respectively provided with convex portions (shaft portions). 52 and 54 are formed. Specifically, at the lower end of the front inner wall 36 forming the front surface of the main housing chamber 48, a convex portion 52 projecting rearward is formed, and the lower end of the rear wall 40 forming the rear surface of the main housing chamber 48 is formed. A convex portion 54 protruding to the front side is formed on the front side. These convex portions 52 and 54 are arranged opposite to each other in the front-rear direction of the main lever 22 (coaxially), and protrude in a direction approaching each other. Each of the convex portions 52 and 54 has a substantially semicircular shape when viewed in the front-rear direction, and is arranged in such a manner that an arc-shaped curved surface is convex upward. In addition, the opposing surfaces of the convex portions 52 and 54 (the surfaces facing the center in the front-rear direction of the main storage chamber 48) are inclined or curved so as to go downward and outward in the front-rear direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 18 and 21, a pair of vertically extending slits 56 are formed in the front inner wall 36 on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the main lever 22 with respect to the above-mentioned protrusion 52. In the front inner wall 36, a portion between the pair of slits 56 (that is, a portion where the above-mentioned convex portion 52 is formed) is a flexible portion 36A. The portions located on both sides are each a reinforcing portion 36B. The flexible portion 36A is not reinforced by the above-described reinforcing rib 38, and the reinforcing portion 36B is reinforced by the above-described reinforcing rib 38. For this reason, the flexible portion 36A is more likely to bend back and forth in the width direction than the reinforcing portion 36B.

  As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, a cutout 58 cut out from the lower side is formed at the lower end of the rear inner wall 42. The notch 58 is formed in the vicinity of the protrusions 52 and 54.

(About the movable cover)
The pair of movable covers 60 are formed in a long shape by, for example, a resin material. These movable covers 60 are arranged on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the main lever 22 with the longitudinal direction of the main lever 22 as a longitudinal direction, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, 5 and 6. As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, 14 to 18, and 22, each movable cover 60 has an open cross-sectional shape that opens downward (toward the wiping surface WS) in the longitudinal direction of each movable cover 60. Has made. Each movable cover 60 includes an upper wall 62, a front wall 64 extending downward from a front end of the upper wall 62, a rear wall 72 extending downward from a rear end of the upper wall 62, A rear inner wall 74 extending slightly downward from the rear in the front-rear direction central portion of the upper wall 62, and a plurality of reinforcing walls 76 connecting the front wall 64, the rear inner wall 74, and the rear wall 72 in the front-rear direction; It has. The front wall 64 and the rear wall 72 face each other in the front-rear direction (width direction), and the upper wall 62 connects the upper ends of the front wall 64 and the rear wall 72 in the front-rear direction (width direction). The plurality of reinforcing walls 76 are arranged in the middle part of each movable cover 60 in the longitudinal direction, and are arranged in the longitudinal direction of each movable cover 60. The plurality of reinforcing walls 76 are integrally connected to the upper wall 62, the front wall 64, the rear wall 72, and the rear inner wall 74.

  Further, each movable cover 60 has a plurality of reinforcing ribs 78 (see FIG. 22) bridged between the front surface of the rear inner wall 74 and the lower surface of the upper wall 62 on the main lever 22 side with respect to the plurality of reinforcing walls 76. ). These reinforcing ribs 78 are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of each movable cover 60, and are integrally connected to the upper wall 62 and the rear inner wall 74.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 22, the front wall 64 has a front outer wall 66 and a front inner wall 68 in which a portion on the main lever 22 side with respect to the plurality of reinforcing walls 76 is opposed in the front-rear direction (width direction). , A plurality of reinforcing ribs 70 connecting the front outer wall 66 and the front inner wall 68 in the front-rear direction (width direction). The front outer wall 66 extends forward (one side in the width direction) and downward from the front end of the upper wall 62, and the front inner wall 68 is slightly behind the front outer wall 66 (slightly the other side in the width direction). The upper wall 62 extends downward from the front end. That is, the front outer wall 66 is disposed on the front side (one side in the width direction) with respect to the front inner wall 68. The front outer wall 66 is convexly curved toward the front side (one side in the width direction) and upward. The length of the movable cover 60 in the longitudinal direction of the front inner wall 68 is set smaller than that of the front outer wall 66, and the front inner wall 68 is not provided on the side of the plurality of reinforcing walls 76. The plurality of reinforcing ribs 70 are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the movable cover 60, and are integrally connected to the upper wall 62, the front outer wall 66, and the front inner wall 68.

  As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the front outer wall 66 extends below the front inner wall 68, and the lower end of the front outer wall 66 is disposed below the lower end of the front inner wall 68. I have. The lower end of the front inner wall 68 and the lower end of the rear wall 72 are disposed at substantially the same position (height) in the vertical direction. On the main lever 22 side of the plurality of reinforcing walls 76, the vertical dimension of the rear inner wall 74 is reduced, and the lower end of the rear inner wall 74 is smaller than the lower ends of the front inner wall 68 and the rear wall 72. It is arranged on the upper side. The rear wall 72 is formed such that the dimension (thickness) in the front-rear direction increases from the upper end side connected to the upper wall 62 to the lower end side.

  A grip portion 80 for gripping the longitudinal end of the blade rubber 14 is formed at one longitudinal end (the end opposite to the main lever 22) of each movable cover 60. The grip portion 80 has a pair of front and rear grip pieces 82 extending downward from the front wall 64 and the rear wall 72. The distal ends (lower ends) of the gripping pieces 82 in the front and rear directions in the width direction are bent toward mutually approaching sides, and are fitted in the pair of gripping grooves 18 described above. As a result, the longitudinal end of the blade rubber 14 is gripped by the gripper 80.

  The upper surface of each movable cover 60 configured as described above is configured by the upper surfaces of the upper wall 62 and the front outer wall 66. On the upper surface of each movable cover 60, a fin surface (second fin surface) 84 is formed which is inclined downward toward the front of the vehicle (that is, the front in the width direction). Each fin surface 84 is formed at a position on the upper surface of each upper wall 62 on the vehicle front side, and extends in the longitudinal direction of the movable cover 60. These fin surfaces 84 extend slightly rearward from the center in the front-rear direction (width direction) of each movable cover 60, and are curved such that the gradient increases toward the rear side. When the fin surfaces 84 receive the traveling wind at the time of traveling of the vehicle, a pressing force is applied to the blade rubber 14 toward the wiping surface WS. Each of the movable covers 60 on which the fin surfaces 84 are formed has a height (a vertical dimension) that is larger at the rear side than at the front side in the front-rear direction (width direction).

  In each of the movable covers 60, a movable storage chamber 86 for storing a part of the yoke lever 96 is formed closer to the main lever 22 than the plurality of reinforcing walls 76 described above. As shown in FIGS. 14, 15, 18, and 22, the movable storage chamber 86 is formed below the upper wall 62 and between the front wall 64 and the rear wall 72. Surface WS side) and the main lever 22 side. The movable housing 86 has a height (a vertical dimension) that is larger at the rear side than at the front side in the front-rear direction (width direction). The above-described rear inner wall 74 is provided near the center in the front-rear direction of the movable storage chamber 86, and the upper portion of the movable storage chamber 86 is partitioned forward and rearward by the rear inner wall 74.

  As shown in FIGS. 14, 16 to 18, and 22, at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the movable cover 60 (the end on the side of the main lever 22), the front and rear of each movable storage chamber 86 in the width direction are set. Convex portions 88 and 90 are formed on both surfaces, respectively. Specifically, at the lower end of the front inner wall 68 forming the front surface of the movable accommodating chamber 86, a convex portion 88 protruding rearward is formed, and the lower end of the rear wall 72 forming the rear surface of the movable accommodating chamber 86 is formed. A convex portion 90 protruding toward the front side is formed on the front side. These convex portions 88 and 90 are arranged to face the movable cover 60 in the front-rear direction, and protrude in directions approaching each other. Each of the convex portions 88 and 90 has a substantially semicircular shape when viewed in the front-rear direction, and is arranged in a posture in which an arc-shaped curved surface is convex upward. In addition, the facing surface of each of the protrusions 88 and 90 (the surface facing the center in the front-rear direction of the movable storage chamber 86) is inclined or curved so as to go downward and outward in the front-rear direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 18 and 22, a pair of vertically extending slits 92 are formed in the front inner wall 68 on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the movable cover 60 with respect to the above-mentioned projections 88. In the front inner wall 68, a portion between the pair of slits 92, that is, a portion where the above-mentioned convex portion 88 is formed is a flexible portion 68A, and both sides in the longitudinal direction of the movable cover 60 with respect to the flexible portion 68A. Are respectively defined as reinforcing portions 68B. The flexible portion 68A is not reinforced by the above-described reinforcing rib 70, and the reinforcing portion 68B is reinforced by the above-described reinforcing rib 70. For this reason, the flexible portion 68A is more easily bent back and forth in the width direction than the reinforcing portion 68B.

  As shown in FIGS. 18 and 22, a notch 94 cut out from the lower side is formed at the lower end of the rear inner wall 74 in the movable storage chamber 86. The notch 94 is formed near the above-mentioned protrusions 88 and 90.

(About the yoke lever)
As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 16 to 18, and 23 to 24, the pair of yoke levers 96 are formed in a long shape having the longitudinal direction of the main lever 22 and each movable cover 60 as a longitudinal direction. Have been. Each yoke lever 96 includes a metal part 98 (see FIGS. 25 to 27) made of metal and a yoke lever main body part 108 as a resin part made of resin provided outside the metal part 98. The metal part 98 is embedded in the yoke lever main body 108 by, for example, insert molding. The metal part 98 is not limited to the configuration in which the metal part 98 is embedded in the yoke lever main body part 108 as a resin part. For example, a part of the metal part (for example, a grip part 110 and peripheral parts of the concave parts 114, 116, 118, 120) will be described. A configuration in which the resin portion is attached by outsert molding or the like may be adopted.

  The metal part 98 is manufactured by press-forming a metal plate made of, for example, stainless steel, and has a long shape with the longitudinal direction of the yoke lever 96 as a length. The metal portion 98 is composed of a plate-like portion 98A having a plate thickness direction in the up-down direction, and a reinforcing flange portion 98B extending upward from a width-direction rear end of the plate-like portion 98A, and has a longitudinal direction. The cross section viewed from above is L-shaped.

  A pair of through holes 100 and 102 are formed in the middle part of the metal part 98 in the longitudinal direction so as to be aligned in the longitudinal direction of the metal part 98. These through holes 100 and 102 are formed in a bent portion between the plate portion 98A and the reinforcing flange portion 98B. A pair of protrusions 104 and 106 projecting upward are formed at the upper end of the reinforcing flange 98B so as to be arranged in the longitudinal direction of the metal part 98. These protruding portions 104 and 106 are disposed above the pair of through holes 100 and 102, and are formed in a substantially semicircular shape that protrudes upward when viewed in the front-rear direction.

  The yoke lever main body portion 108 in which the metal portion 98 is embedded is formed in the same shape as the metal portion 98, and has an L-shaped cross section as viewed from the longitudinal direction. More specifically, the yoke lever main body 108 includes a plate-like portion 108A having a vertical thickness direction and a vertical wall portion 108B extending upward from a widthwise rear end of the plate-like portion 108A. And the cross section viewed from the longitudinal direction is L-shaped.

  The plate portion 98A of the metal portion 98 is embedded in the plate portion 108A, and the reinforcing flange portion 98B of the metal portion 98 is embedded in the upright wall portion 108B. The plate-like portion 108A constituting the lower part of the yoke lever main body 108 has a smaller dimension in the width direction than the upright wall 108B constituting the upper part of the yoke lever main body 108. The yoke lever main body 108 (yoke lever 96) provided with the upright wall portion 108B has a height (a vertical dimension) that is enlarged stepwise at the rear side of the front side in the width direction. And the cross section viewed from the longitudinal direction has an L-shape.

  At both ends in the longitudinal direction of the plate-like portion 108A, gripping portions 110 that grip the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber 14 are formed. Each grip portion 110 has a pair of front and rear grip pieces 112 extending downward from the front end and the rear end of the plate-shaped portion 108A. The front end portions (lower end portions) of the front and rear gripping pieces 112 are bent toward the sides approaching each other, and are fitted into the pair of gripping grooves 18 described above. As a result, the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber 14 is gripped by the gripping portions 110. The front gripping piece 112 protrudes forward from the plate-shaped portion 108A and then extends downward, and is arranged on the front side of the plate-shaped portion. In other words, between the front gripping pieces 112 provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the plate-like portion 108A, the plate-like portion 108A is notched rearward.

  In addition, a pair of recesses 114 and 116 are formed on the front surface of the plate-shaped portion 108A at the middle in the longitudinal direction, and a pair of recesses 114 and 116 are formed in the longitudinal direction of the yoke lever main body 108. A pair of recesses 118 and 120 are formed in the yoke lever main body 108 in a line in the longitudinal direction. The pair of recesses 114 and 116 and the pair of recesses 118 and 120 are arranged so as to be aligned in the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction of the yoke lever main body 108, and face each other in the front-rear direction (width direction). The recesses 114, 116, 118, and 120 are open (opened in the front-rear direction outside and lower side) in the front-rear direction (width direction), and are substantially semicircular when viewed in the front-rear direction. Has made. These concave portions 114, 116, 118, and 120 are arranged in such a manner that an arc-shaped curved surface protrudes upward. The recesses 118 and 120 formed on the rear surface of the plate-shaped portion 108A are formed at positions corresponding to the pair of through holes 100 and 102 described above. Thereby, the thickness of the yoke lever main body 108 in the front-rear direction and the vertical dimension of the yoke lever main body 108 are reduced while the thickness of the yoke lever main body 108 is secured around the recesses 118 and 120. The yoke lever main body 108 has a front projection (not shown) in which the periphery of the recesses 114 and 116 project forward, and a rear projection in which the periphery of the recesses 118 and 120 project rearward. (Symbol omitted).

  Further, a plurality of front protrusions 122 protruding forward are formed on the front surface in the width direction of the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the plate-shaped portion 108A, and are formed side by side in the longitudinal direction of the yoke lever main body 108. On the rear surface in the width direction of the middle portion in the longitudinal direction of the upright wall portion 108B (the rear surface in the width direction of the middle portion in the longitudinal direction of the yoke lever body portion 108), a plurality of rear protrusions 124 protruding rearward are provided. Are formed side by side in the longitudinal direction. The front protrusion 122 has a larger protrusion amount from the front surface of the plate-like portion 108A than the front protrusion (the periphery of the recesses 114 and 116), and the rear protrusion 124 has the rear protrusion ( The protrusion amount from the rear surface of the yoke lever main body 108 is set to be larger than that of the recesses 118 and 120). The vertical dimension of the front projection 122 is set equal to the vertical dimension of the plate-shaped portion 108A, and the vertical dimension of the rear projection 124 is set equal to the vertical dimension of the yoke lever main body 108. I have.

  A plurality of inner protrusions 126 protruding forward are formed on the front surface in the width direction of the middle portion in the longitudinal direction of the upright wall portion 108B so as to be arranged in the longitudinal direction of the yoke lever main body portion 108. The vertical dimension of these inner projections 126 is set to be equal to the vertical dimension of the standing wall 108B. Further, a pair of engaging projections 128 and 130 projecting forward are formed on the front surface in the width direction of the middle portion in the longitudinal direction of the upright wall portion 108B so as to be aligned in the longitudinal direction of the yoke lever main body portion 108. The pair of engagement projections 128 and 130 project forward from the upright wall 108B beyond the plurality of inner projections 126, and are also integrally connected to the upper surface of the plate-like portion 108A. That is, the pair of engaging projections 128 and 130 are provided across the boundary between the upright wall portion 108B and the plate-like portion 108A. In addition, the pair of engaging protrusions 128 and 130 are set to have a smaller vertical dimension than the plurality of inner protrusions 126. The pair of engaging projections 128 and 130 are formed near the pair of recesses 114 and 116 and the pair of recesses 118 and 120 described above.

  A pair of rear pressing portions 132 and 134 protruding upward are formed on the upper surface of the middle portion in the longitudinal direction of the standing wall portion 108B so as to be arranged in the longitudinal direction of the yoke lever main body portion 108. The rear pressing portions 132 and 134 are disposed above the pair of recesses 118 and 120, and have a substantially semicircular shape that protrudes upward when viewed in the front-rear direction. The pair of protruding portions 104 and 106 described above are embedded in the rear side pressing portions 132 and 134. Further, a pair of contact portions 136 and 138 projecting upward are formed on the upper surface of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the standing wall portion 108B.

  The yoke lever 96 having the above-described configuration is housed in the longitudinal direction across the main housing chamber 48 of the main lever 22 and the movable housing chamber 86 of the movable cover 60, and has a width relative to the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60. It is connected so as to be rotatable around an axis extending in the direction (front-back direction). Specifically, the protrusions 52 and 54 coaxially arranged on the main lever 22 are fitted into the recesses 114 and 118 of the yoke lever 96, so that the main lever 22 and the yoke lever 96 can rotate. The movable cover 60 and the yoke lever 96 are rotatable by fitting the convex portions 88 and 90 coaxially arranged on the movable cover 60 into the concave portions 116 and 120 of the yoke lever 96. Are linked. That is, the yoke lever 96 is rotatably connected to the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60 at the lower plate-like portion 108A which is wider in front and rear than the upper wall portion 108B. Further, the yoke lever 96 is rotatably connected to the front inner wall 36 and the rear wall 40 of the main lever 22 and is rotatably connected to the front inner wall 68 and the rear wall 72 of the movable cover 60. ing.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 to 15, a plate-like yoke lever 96 is provided between the front inner wall 36 and the rear wall 40 of the main lever 22 and between the front inner wall 68 and the rear wall 72 of the movable cover 60. The unit 108A is housed. Further, between the rear inner wall 42 and the rear wall 40 of the main lever 22 and between the rear inner wall 74 and the rear wall 72 of the movable cover 60, the upright wall portion 108B of the yoke lever 96 is accommodated. That is, the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60 have a pair of opposing walls (the rear wall 40 and the rear inner wall 42, and the rear wall 72 and the rear inner wall 74) opposing each other with the standing wall portion 108B interposed therebetween.

  Of the grip portions 110 provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the yoke lever 96, the grip portion 110 on the main lever 22 side is located between the front inner wall 36 of the main lever 22 and the reinforcing wall 50 (see FIGS. 20 and 21). Are housed in the main housing chamber 48 so as to be able to appear and disappear. The grip 110 on the side opposite to the main lever 22 is housed in the movable housing 86 so as to be able to protrude and retract between the front inner wall 68 of the movable cover 60 and the reinforcing wall 76.

  Of the rear-side pressing portions 132, 134 and the contact portions 136, 138 protruding from the upper surface of the upright wall portion 108B provided at the rear portion of the yoke lever 96, the rear-side pressing portion 132 and the contact portion 136 are the main housing chamber 48. , And the rear-side pressing portion 134 and the contact portion 138 are in contact with the upper surface of the movable storage chamber 86 (the lower surface of the upper wall 62). The rear pressing portions 132 and 134 (the standing wall portion 108B) are disposed rearward of the fin surfaces 46 and 84, and are disposed above and behind the blade rubber 14.

  The plurality of front protrusions 122 formed on the yoke lever 96 project toward the reinforcing portion 36B provided on the front wall 32 of the main lever 22 and the reinforcing portion 68B provided on the front wall 64 of the movable cover 60. And is in contact with or close to the reinforcing portions 36B and 68B. The plurality of inner protrusions 126 formed on the yoke lever 96 project toward the rear inner wall 42 of the main lever 22 and the rear inner wall 74 of the movable cover 60, and come into contact with the rear inner walls 42, 74. Or, they are close to each other. The plurality of rear projections 124 formed on the yoke lever 96 project toward the rear wall 40 of the main lever 22 and the rear wall 72 of the movable cover 60. They are in contact or in close proximity. In the present embodiment, the plurality of rear protrusions 124 are in contact with or close to the upper to lower portions of the rear walls 40 and 72, but are not limited thereto. What is necessary is just to be in contact with or close to at least the upper side.

  In addition, of the pair of engaging protrusions 128 and 130 formed on the yoke lever 96, the engaging protrusion 128 is disposed in the notch 58 (see FIG. 21) formed on the rear inner wall 42 of the main lever 22. The engaging projection 130 is disposed in a cutout 94 (see FIG. 22) formed in the rear inner wall 74 of the movable cover 60. The engagement projections 128 and 130 and the cutouts 58 and 94 constitute a load transmission unit (reference numerals are omitted). The load transmitting portion applies a load acting between the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60 and the yoke lever 96 along the longitudinal direction thereof to the engagement between the engagement protrusion 128 and the end of the notch 58. , And the engagement between the engagement protrusion 130 and the end of the notch 94 is received.

(Action and effect)
Next, the operation and effect of the present embodiment will be described.

  In the wiper blade 10 having the above configuration, the blade rubber 14 is gripped by the wiper lever assembly 20 having a tournament structure. In the wiper lever assembly 20, a pair of movable covers 60 are continuously arranged on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the main lever 22 where the distal end of the wiper arm 12 is connected to the center in the longitudinal direction. On the upper surface on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the main lever 22 and on the upper surface of each movable cover 60, fin surfaces 46 and 84 are formed, each of which has a downward slope toward the front in the width direction (front of the vehicle). The main lever 22 and each movable cover 60 are rotatably connected to a pair of yoke levers 96 about an axis extending in the width direction. The blade rubber 14 is gripped by gripping portions 80 provided on the opposite side of the main lever 22 in each movable cover 60 and gripping portions 110 provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of each yoke lever 96. . As a result, the pressing force applied from the wiper arm 12 to the main lever 22 is distributed and dispersed in the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber 14 via the backing made of each yoke lever 96 and a metal leaf spring material. The distribution pressure on the surface WS becomes uniform, and the wiping performance is improved.

  In the wiper blade 10, both sides of the main lever 22 in the longitudinal direction and each movable cover 60 are respectively opposed to the front walls 32, 64 and the rear walls 40, 72 facing the width direction, and the front walls 32, 64, and the rear wall 40. , 72 are connected in the width direction to the upper walls 30, 62, and the front walls 32, 64 respectively have front inner walls 36, 68, and a front side (width) with respect to the front inner walls 36, 68, respectively. (The one side in the direction). The respective yoke levers 96 are rotatably connected to the front inner walls 36, 68 and the rear walls 40, 72, respectively, and the first fin surfaces 46 and the second fin surfaces 84 are respectively connected to the upper wall. 30, 62 and the upper surfaces of the front outer walls 34, 66. In other words, the front walls 32 and 64 are composed of the front inner walls 36 and 68 which are pivotally connected to the yoke levers 96 and the front outer walls 34 and 66 forming the front portions of the fin surfaces 46 and 84. It has a heavy structure. Since the front outer walls 34 and 66 are disposed on the front side (one side in the width direction) with respect to the front inner walls 36 and 68, the fin surfaces 46 and 84 having a downward slope toward the front side (one side in the width direction) are formed. , Can be enlarged (extended) to one side in the width direction. Thereby, the gradient of each of the fin surfaces 46 and 84 can be set gently on one side in the width direction, so that aerodynamic characteristics can be improved.

  Further, in the present embodiment, on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the main lever 22, an opening is formed on the wiping surface WS side (lower side), and a height dimension H1 (see FIG. 13) is provided on the rear side from the front side in the width direction. The enlarged main storage chambers 48 are formed, and each movable cover 60 is opened on the wiping surface WS side (lower side) and has a height H2 (see FIG. 15) is formed. A pair of yoke levers 96 accommodated in each of the main accommodation chambers 48 and each of the movable accommodation chambers 86 are rotatable around an axis extending in the width direction with respect to the main lever 22 and each of the movable covers 60. It is connected to. As described above, the height dimension of the yoke lever 96 accommodated in the main accommodation chamber 48 and the movable accommodation chamber 86 is larger at the rear side than at the front side in the width direction. The yoke lever 96 can be compactly accommodated in the main accommodation chamber 48 and the movable accommodation chamber 86 while ensuring the strength of the yoke lever 96. Moreover, as described above, the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60 having the fin surfaces 46 and 84 inclined downward toward the width direction front side (vehicle front side) are formed at the rear side of the front side in the width direction. Since the height dimension is larger on the side, even if the main storage chamber 48 and the movable storage chamber 86 whose height dimensions are enlarged on the rear side than on the front side in the width direction as described above, the height is high. The increase in the size can be suppressed. Accordingly, in the wiper blade 10 (wiper lever assembly 20), the height of protrusion from the wiping surface WS can be suppressed to be low, so that aerodynamic characteristics can be improved.

  Further, when the fin surface 84 of the movable cover 60 receives the traveling wind, a pressing force is generated on the movable cover 60 itself, and the pressing force is applied to the blade rubber 14, particularly, the tip portion of the blade rubber 14 held by the gripping portion 80 of the movable cover 60. Since the pressure is applied, it is possible to urge the tip portion for wiping a portion having a large curvature curvature of the wiping surface WS during high-speed running while keeping the protruding height from the wiping surface WS low.

  The above-mentioned aerodynamic characteristics will be supplementarily described. In order to improve the aerodynamic characteristics of the wiper blade 10 (wiper lever assembly 20), in addition to setting the height of the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60 to be small, the fin surface 46 of the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60 is used. , 84 are preferably gently inclined or curved from the windward to the leeward of the traveling wind (gradient gradient). For that purpose, the height dimension (vertical dimension) of each arm 22B of the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60 needs to be reduced toward the front part in the width direction (one side in the width direction). In this regard, in the present embodiment, the fin surfaces 46, 84 can be extended to the front side (one side in the width direction) by the front outer walls 34, 66 extending forward and downward from the front ends of the upper walls 30, 62. The slope of the fin surfaces 46, 84 on one side in the width direction can be made gentle. Moreover, in the present embodiment, the yoke lever 96 has a larger height dimension on the rear side than on the front side in the width direction, and has a smaller height dimension on the front side in the width direction. The degree of freedom in setting the shapes of the arm 22B and the movable cover 60 is increased, and the fin surfaces 46 and 84 can be easily set to a preferable shape. As a result, it is possible to dramatically improve aerodynamic characteristics (particularly, reduction of lift).

  Further, the yoke lever 96 is formed in an L-shape when viewed in the longitudinal direction, and the height dimension is enlarged stepwise (stepped) on the rear side from the front side. For this reason, the yoke lever 96 can be compactly accommodated in the main accommodation chamber 48 and the movable accommodation chamber 86 while efficiently securing the strength of the yoke lever 96, so that the wiping surface WS of the wiper lever assembly 20 is provided. The aerodynamic characteristics can be further improved by reducing the height of the protrusion from the fin.

  Moreover, in the above-described yoke lever 96, since the metal part 98 made of metal is embedded in the yoke lever main body part 108 made of resin, the yoke lever 96 is compared with the case where the yoke lever 96 is formed only of the resin part. It is easy to achieve both lever strength and size reduction. In addition, since the exposure of the metal portion 98 is reduced, a coating (generally, a black coating) for rust prevention and anti-glare can be eliminated, which contributes to a reduction in manufacturing cost.

  In the present embodiment, the projections 52, 54, 88, 90 formed on the front inner walls 36, 68 and the rear walls 40, 72 are four recesses 114 formed on both front and rear sides of the yoke lever 96 in the width direction. , 118, 116, and 120, the yoke lever 96 is rotatably connected to the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60. Thereby, for example, each rotation of the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60 and the yoke lever 96 is compared with a case where the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60 and the yoke lever 96 are rotatably connected using the shaft member. The configuration and assembly of the connecting portion are simplified.

  Moreover, in the present embodiment, the four recesses 114, 116, 118, 120 formed on both the front and rear sides in the width direction of the yoke lever 96 are open at the outer side and lower side in the front and rear direction, and are substantially semicircular when viewed in the front and rear direction. It is formed in a shape. Thus, for example, the height of the yoke lever 96 can be set smaller than when the recesses 114, 116, 118, and 120 are formed in a circular shape when viewed in the front-rear direction. As a result, in the present wiper lever assembly 20, the protruding height from the wiping surface WS can be further reduced.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the yoke lever 96 is rotatably connected to the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60 at a lower plate-like portion 108A that is wider in front and rear than the upper wall 108B. Thus, the axial length of each of the rotation connecting portions of the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60 and the yoke lever 96 can be set longer in the width direction, so that the posture of the yoke lever 96 with respect to the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60 (longitudinal direction) A change in the posture viewed from the direction, that is, the tilting posture) can be suppressed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, an upright wall portion 108B protruding upward is formed on the rear side of the yoke lever 96, and the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60 are opposed to each other across the upright wall portion 108B. It has opposing walls (the rear wall 40 and the rear inner wall 42, and the rear wall 72 and the rear inner wall 74). Thereby, the looseness of the yoke lever 96 with respect to the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60 can be suppressed by the engagement between the pair of opposed walls and the upright wall portion 108B.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the upper surface of the upright wall portion 108B provided on the rear side of the yoke lever 96 has a pair of rear sides that are in contact with the upper surface on the rear side of the main storage chamber 48 and the upper surface on the rear side of the movable storage chamber 86. Pressing sections 132 and 134 are provided. Thereby, the pressing force from the wiper arm 12, the reaction force from the wiping surface WS, the pressing force converted by receiving the traveling wind, and the like are transmitted to the yoke lever 96 and the main lever via the pair of rear pressing portions 132 and 134. Since the power is transmitted between the rotation lever 22 and the movable cover 60, it is possible to prevent or suppress the above-mentioned force from being applied to each of the rotation connecting portions of the yoke lever 96 and the main lever 22. Accordingly, the connection strength of each of the rotation connection portions can be designed to be low (for example, the concave portions 114 and 118 of the yoke lever 96 can be formed in a semicircular shape or a substantially semicircular shape when viewed in the front-rear direction). The size can be reduced in the height direction, and the protrusion height of the wiper lever assembly 20 (wiper blade 10) from the wiping surface WS can be further reduced. In addition, since the rear pressing portions 132 and 134 (the standing wall portion 108B) are disposed on the rear side of the fin surfaces 46 and 84, the rear pressing portions 132 and 134 are formed on the fin surfaces 46 and 84. The restriction on the shape can be prevented or suppressed, and the degree of freedom in setting the shape of the fin surfaces 46 and 84 is improved.

  In the present embodiment, the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60 have front walls 32 and 64 that form the front surfaces of the main storage chamber 48 and the movable storage chamber 86, respectively. It has flexible portions 36A, 68A on which the convex portions 52, 88 are formed, and reinforcing portions 36B, 68B reinforced more than the flexible portions 36A, 68A. For this reason, the convex portions 52, 54, 88, 90 formed on both front and rear sides in the width direction of the main storage chamber 48 and the movable storage chamber 86 are replaced with concave portions 114, 118 formed on both front and rear sides in the width direction of the yoke lever 96. , 116, and 120, respectively, the flexible portions 36A, 68A bend so that the convex portions 52, 88 formed on the flexible portions 36A, 68A are fitted into the concave portions of the yoke lever 96. 114 and 116 can be easily fitted.

  Moreover, when a load in the front-rear direction in the width direction (wiping direction) is applied between the yoke lever 96 and the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60, the yoke lever 96 can abut against the reinforcing portions 36B and 68B. A plurality of front protrusions 122 projecting from the main lever 22 and the reinforcing portions 36B, 68B provided on the front walls 32, 64 of the movable cover 60. This can prevent or suppress the above-mentioned load from being applied to the flexible portions 36A, 68A, so that the convex portions 52, 88 formed on the flexible portions 36A, 68A are inadvertent from the concave portions 114, 116 of the yoke lever 96. Can be prevented from coming off.

  In the present embodiment, the reinforcing portions 36B, 68B of the front inner walls 36, 68 of the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60 are connected to the front outer walls 34, 66 by the reinforcing ribs 38, 70 in the front-rear direction (width direction). They are connected. Thereby, each reinforcing portion 36B, 68B can be reinforced with a simple configuration.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60 are provided with rear walls 40 and 72 forming the rear surfaces of the main storage chamber 48 and the movable storage chamber 86, respectively. And upper walls 30 and 62 respectively extending therefrom, and convex portions 54 and 90 are formed at lower end portions of the rear walls 40 and 72, respectively. For this reason, the convex portions 52, 54, 88, 90 formed on both front and rear sides in the width direction of the main storage chamber 48 and the movable storage chamber 86 are replaced with four concave portions 114 formed on both front and rear sides in the width direction of the yoke lever 96. , 118, 116, and 120, respectively, the rear walls 40, 72 bend so that the convex portions 54, 90 formed at the lower end portions of the rear walls 40, 72 are connected to the yoke levers. It can be easily fitted into the 96 concave portions 114 and 116.

  Moreover, when a load in the front-rear direction in the width direction (wiping direction) is applied between the yoke lever 96 and the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60, the plurality of rear protrusions 124 protruding from the yoke lever 96 form the rear wall. By abutting on the upper side of the upper and lower walls 40 and 72 (that is, the portion that is less likely to bend back and forth than the lower side of the rear walls 40 and 72), the distance from the bending fulcrum is reduced, and the bending of the rear walls 40 and 72 is suppressed. it can. As a result, it is possible to prevent the protrusions 54, 90 formed on the rear walls 40, 72 from accidentally coming off the recesses 114, 116 of the yoke lever 96.

  In the present embodiment, the front outer walls 34 and 66 of the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60 are curved so as to protrude forward (one side in the width direction) and upward. Accordingly, the airflow that has interfered with the front outer walls 34 and 66 from one side in the width direction can easily flow smoothly to the upper surfaces of the upper walls 30 and 62. Moreover, each of the front outer walls 34, 66 extends below the respective front inner walls 36, 68. Thus, while the front outer walls 34 and 66 are reinforced by the front inner walls 36 and 68, the front outer walls 34 and 66 collide with snow or the like accumulated near the lower turning position of the wiping surface WS and penetrate into the internal space of the wiper lever assembly 20. Can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, the plurality of front protrusions 122, the plurality of rear protrusions 124, and the plurality of inner protrusions 126 protruding from the yoke lever 96 are formed by the main lever 22 and the front inner walls 36, 68 of the movable cover 60, and the rear wall. 40, 72 and the rear inner walls 42, 74, respectively, in point contact. Therefore, compared to the configuration in which the yoke lever 96 contacts the above-mentioned walls in a wide area in a planar manner, the management of dimensions becomes easier.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60 are formed by the cutouts 58 and 94 formed in the rear inner walls 42 and 74 and the engagement protrusions 128 and 130 provided in the yoke lever 96. It has a load transmitting unit. In this load transmitting portion, the load acting along the longitudinal direction between the main lever 22 and the movable cover 60 and the yoke lever 96 is applied to the ends of the cutouts 58 and 94 and the engagement protrusions 128, It is received by engagement with 130. Thereby, it is possible to prevent or suppress the above-mentioned load from acting on the respective rotational connecting portions of the yoke lever 96, the main lever 22, and the movable cover 60.

  Next, aerodynamic characteristics of the wiper blade 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 28 is an aerodynamic analysis diagram of the wiper blade 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 29 is an aerodynamic analysis diagram of the wiper blade 200 according to the first comparative example, and FIG. FIG. 3 is an aerodynamic analysis diagram of the wiper blade 300. The wiper blades 200 and 300 are wiper blades having a conventional tournament structure. The yoke levers (symbols omitted) provided on these wiper blades 200 and 300 are larger in height than the yoke lever 96 provided on the wiper blade 10. In the aerodynamic analysis, the height of the wiper blade 10 is set to be smaller than the height of the wiper blade 200.

  For each of the wiper blades 10, 200, and 300, the lift and drag acting on each wiper blade when the vehicle traveling speed was set to 200 km / h were analyzed. As a result, both the lift and the drag became wiper blade 10 <wiper blade 200 <wiper blade 300. In particular, the lift of wiper blade 10 was extremely small, about 1/7 that of wiper blade 200. From this aerodynamic analysis, it was confirmed that the wiper blade 10 according to the present embodiment dramatically improved aerodynamic characteristics.

  In the above-described embodiment, a pair of rear side contact surfaces that are in contact with the upper surface on the rear side of the main storage chamber 48 and the upper surface on the rear side of the movable storage chamber 86 are provided on the upper surface on the rear side of the yoke lever 96 (the upper surface of the standing wall 98B). Although the pressure portions 132 and 134 are provided, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, as in the modification shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the upper surface on the front side of the yoke lever 96 (the upper surface of the plate-shaped portion 108A) is provided on the upper surface on the front side of the main housing chamber 48 and the movable housing chamber 86. A configuration in which a pair of front-side pressing portions 140 and 142 that are in contact with the upper surface on the front side may be provided.

  In this modification, the pressing force from the wiper arm 12, the reaction force from the wiping surface WS, and the like are applied between the yoke lever 96, the main lever 22, and the movable cover 60 via the pair of front-side pressing portions 140 and 142. Since the power is transmitted, it is possible to prevent or suppress the above-mentioned force from being applied to the respective rotational connecting portions of the yoke lever 96, the main lever 22, and the movable cover 60. Thus, each of the rotation connecting portions can be downsized in the height direction of the yoke lever 96. As a result, similarly to the above embodiment, the height of the wiper lever assembly 20 (the wiper blade 10) protruding from the wiping surface WS can be further reduced. In addition, since the front-side pressing portions 140 and 142 are disposed above the blade rubber 14, the pressing force from the wiper arm 12 is applied to the blade rubber 14 from above (without offsetting forward and backward). Can be.

  In addition, the present invention can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the gist thereof. In addition, it goes without saying that the scope of rights of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Wiper blade, 12 ... Wiper arm, 14 ... Blade rubber, 20 ... Wiper lever assembly, 22 ... Main lever, 30 ... Upper wall, 32 ... Front wall, 34 ... front outer wall, 36 ... front inner wall, 36A ... flexible part, 36B ... reinforcement part, 38 ... reinforcement rib, 40 ... rear wall, 46 ... fin surface (the 52, 54 ... convex part, 60 ... movable cover, 62 ... upper wall, 64 ... front wall, 66 ... front outer wall, 68 ... front inner wall, 68A ... flexible part, 68B ... reinforcement part, 70 ... reinforcement rib, 72 ... rear wall, 80 ... gripping part, 84 ... fin surface (second fin surface), 88, 90 ... convex part, 96 ... yoke lever, 110 ... gripping part, 114, 116, 118, 120 ... concave part, 22 ... front projection, 124 ... rear projection, 128

Claims (7)

A main lever having a tip end portion of the wiper arm connected to a central portion in the longitudinal direction, and a first fin surface having a downward slope toward one side in the width direction formed on an upper surface on both longitudinal sides;
A second fin surface that is continuously arranged on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the main lever and that is inclined downward toward one side in the width direction is formed on the upper surface so as to be continuous with the first fin surface, and is opposite to the main lever. A pair of movable covers provided with a gripper for gripping the blade rubber on the side,
A pair of yoke levers that are rotatably connected to the main lever and each of the movable covers around axes extending in the width direction, and provided with gripping portions that grip the blade rubber at both longitudinal ends,
With
Both sides of the main lever in the longitudinal direction and each of the movable covers have a front wall and a rear wall facing each other in the width direction, and an upper wall connecting upper ends of the front wall and the rear wall in the width direction. Yes,
Each of the front walls has a front inner wall, and a front outer wall formed from the front inner wall to the upper wall continuously toward one side in the width direction,
Each of the yoke levers is rotatably connected to each of the front inner wall and each of the rear walls,
A wiper lever assembly wherein each of the first fin surfaces and each of the second fin surfaces are respectively formed on upper surfaces of the upper wall and the front outer wall.   One of the concave portion and the convex portion formed on each of the front inner wall and each of the rear walls is fitted into the other of the four convex portions and the concave portions formed on both sides in the width direction of the yoke lever. The wiper lever assembly according to claim 1, wherein the wiper lever assembly is rotatably connected to the main lever and the movable cover. Each of the front inner walls has a flexible portion in which one of the concave portion and the convex portion is formed, and a reinforcing portion reinforced more than the flexible portion,
The wiper lever assembly according to claim 2, wherein the yoke lever has a front projection formed so as to be able to abut against the reinforcing portion.   The wiper lever assembly according to claim 3, wherein the reinforcing portion of each of the front inner walls is reinforced by a reinforcing rib connecting the front inner walls and the front outer walls in a width direction. The convex portion is formed on a lower side of each of the rear walls,
The wiper lever according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the yoke lever is formed with a rear protrusion that protrudes so as to be capable of abutting above the convex portion of each of the rear walls. Assembly.   The wiper lever assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each of the front outer walls extends below each of the front inner walls. Blade rubber for wiping the wiping surface of the vehicle,
The wiper lever assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the blade rubber is gripped by each of the grip portions provided on the pair of movable covers and the pair of yoke levers.
A wiper blade having a.