JP7658569B2 - Wiper arm clamp mounting structure - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a clamp mounting structure for a wiper arm.

Patent Document 1 discloses a wiper arm. This wiper arm includes a shank (hereafter, retainer) and an arm piece (hereafter, piece arm). The retainer is connected to an arm head that is rotatably attached to a pivot shaft provided on the 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.

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.

The hose is held by a clamp and positioned along the retainer and piece arm.

JP 2019-151204 A

In such wiper arms, for example, if the length of the piece arm protruding from the retainer is short, it is difficult to secure a location to attach the clamp.

The clamp mounting structure for a wiper arm to solve the above problem comprises a wiper arm including a piece arm and a long retainer having a holding portion for holding the piece arm with the tip of the piece arm exposed, and a clamp that is attached to the 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.

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 in a convex-concave relationship with the first fitting portion formed on the holding portion of the retainer. 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.

In the above-mentioned clamp mounting structure for the wiper arm, 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 the design surface of the retainer, the pair of side walls extend from both sides of the top wall in the width direction 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 preferably a protrusion that fits into the recess.

With this configuration, 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, so that the design surface of the retainer is prevented from being damaged by adding the first fitting portion.

In addition, with the above configuration, when the metal plate is pressed to form the retainer, the recess can be formed at the same time. This makes it possible to prevent the inconvenience of the retainer becoming difficult to form due to the addition of the first fitting portion.

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.

In the above-mentioned wiper arm clamp mounting structure, the notches are preferably formed on both of the edges of the pair of side walls, and the two notches preferably have symmetrical shapes in the width direction.

With this configuration, the recess is positioned at the center in the width direction. This makes it easier for the posture of the clamp attached to the outer peripheral surface of the retainer to be stable. Therefore, the clamp can be properly attached to the retainer.

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

With 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, which prevents the protrusion from rotating relative to the recess. This prevents the clamp from rattling.

In addition, with 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. This makes it possible to suppress stress concentration on the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion.

According to the present invention, the clamp can be easily attached regardless of the length of the piece arm.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a clamp mounting structure for a wiper arm according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing the clamp mounting structure of the wiper arm according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the retainer and the piece arm separated from each other before being crimped in the same embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the wiper arm of the embodiment in a state where the clamp is not attached. FIG. 5 is a bottom view showing the wiper arm of the embodiment in a state where the clamp is not attached. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the clamp of the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG.

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.

As shown in Figures 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.

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

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the piece arm 30 has, in order from the base end side, a base end 31 that extends linearly, an intermediate portion 32 that extends at an angle to the extension direction of the base end 31, and a tip end 33 that extends at an angle to the intermediate portion 32. One surface of the piece arm 30 in the plate thickness direction constitutes a design surface.

In the following description, the extension direction, width direction, and thickness direction of the piece arm 30 will be referred to as the extension direction X, width direction Y, and 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).

As shown in Figures 3 and 5, two protrusions 34 are provided on the surface of the base end 31 opposite the design surface, spaced apart from each other in the extension direction X. Each of the protrusions 34 has a circular cross-sectional shape.

<Retainer 20>
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the retainer 20 is elongated and extends along the base end 31 of the piece arm 30, and is formed by pressing a metal plate.

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.

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 a middle portion 32 and a tip portion 33 of the piece arm 30 exposed.

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

As shown in FIG. 5, the pair of side walls 22 have edges 24 that face each other in the width direction Y. A first notch 25 is formed in each of the edges 24 of the pair of side walls 22. The two first notches 25 have symmetrical shapes in the width direction Y. The first notch 25 has a rectangular shape when viewed from below. The inner circumferential surface of the first notch 25 has a planar bottom surface 25a that extends in the extension direction X.

Two second cutouts 26 are formed at intervals 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. Each of the two sets of second cutouts 26 has a symmetrical shape in the width direction Y. The second cutouts 26 are arc-shaped when viewed from below.

The two sets of second cutout portions 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.

With the base end 31 of the piece arm 30 in contact with the inner surface of the top wall 21, the pair of side walls 22 are crimped from the state shown in Figure 3 to form the retaining portion 23 shown in Figure 5.

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

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.

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

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 via a flow passage (not shown).

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 .

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

A first arm 43 is provided at the tip of the standing wall 42, which extends in the width direction Y and faces the base 41. The tip 43a of the first arm 43 curves and extends toward the base 41.

A first opening 45 is formed over the entirety in the extension direction X between the tip 43 a of the first arm portion 43 and the base portion 41 .
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 .

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

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

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.

As shown in FIG. 8, the protrusion 44 fits into the pair of first notches 25 in a convex-concave relationship. Here, the opposing surface 44a is in surface contact with one of the bottom surfaces 25a of the pair of first notches 25.

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 over the entirety in the extension direction X between the tips of the second arms 47 .

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 .

The clamp 40 is integrally formed from a synthetic resin material.
In this embodiment, the pair of first cutouts 25 correspond to first fitting portions, i.e., recesses, according to the present invention. The protrusions 44 correspond to second fitting portions, the bottom surface 25a corresponds to a first surface, and the opposing surface 44a corresponds to a second surface according to the present invention.

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.

The effects of this embodiment will be described.
(1) The holding portion 23 of the retainer 20 has a pair of first notches 25 that constitute a first fitting portion. The clamp 40 has a protrusion 44 that constitutes a second fitting portion and fits into the pair of first notches 25 in a convex-concave relationship.

With this configuration, the above-mentioned effect is achieved, so that 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 the 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.

With this configuration, the first fitting portion is the first notch 25 provided on both of the pair of side walls 22 of the holding portion 23 of the retainer 20, so that the design surface of the retainer 20 is prevented from being damaged by adding the first fitting portion.

(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 notch 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 notch 25, i.e., the first fitting portion.

(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 cutout portions 25 is located at the center in the width direction Y. This makes it easier to stabilize the posture of the clamp 40 attached to the outer circumferential surface of the retainer 20. Therefore, the clamp 40 can be appropriately attached to the retainer 20.

(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 circumferential surface of the first cutout portion 25 and the opposing surface 44a constituting the outer circumferential 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. As a result, rattling of the clamp 40 can be prevented.

In addition, with the above configuration, the opposing surface 44a comes into surface contact with the bottom surface 25a, so that the stress acting on the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 44 is dispersed. This makes it possible to suppress stress concentration on the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 44.

(6) The outer peripheral 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 for assembly, the inclined surface 44b makes it easier for the retainer 20 to climb over the protrusion 44. Therefore, the ease of assembly of the clamp 40 to the retainer 20 can be improved.

<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.

- In the above embodiment, one first notch 25 is provided between two second notches 26 in the extension direction X, but two second notches 26 and one first notch 25 may be arranged in sequence in the extension direction X. Also, the number of second notches 26 in the extension direction X can be changed as appropriate. Also, the second notch 26 can be omitted.

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 made flat, for example, extending in both the extension direction X and the thickness direction Z, similar to the opposing surface 44a.

The first cutout 25 is not limited to a rectangular shape when viewed from below, and can also 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 can be appropriately changed to correspond to the shape of the first cutout 25.

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

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

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 circumferential surface 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.

The first fitting portion according to the present invention is not limited to a recess such as a notch or 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 concave-convex relationship.

10: Wiper arm 20: Retainer 21: Top wall 22: Side wall 23: Holding portion 24: Edge 25: First notch portion (first fitting portion)
25a...Bottom surface (first surface)
26: Second notch portion 30: Piece arm 31: Base end portion 32: Middle portion 33: Tip portion 34: Projection portion 40: Clamp 41: Base portion 42: Standing wall 43: First arm portion 43a: Tip portion 44: Projection portion (second fitting portion)
44a: opposing surface (second surface)
44b: Inclined surface 44c: Side surface 45: First opening 46: Retainer holding portion 47: Second arm portion 48: Second opening 49: Hose holding portion 50: Washer hose 60: Washer nozzle 61: Connection portion 62: Spray portion 63: Mounting portion

Claims (5)

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. 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. 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. The notch is formed on both of the end edges of the pair of side walls,
The two cutout portions have symmetrical shapes in the width direction.
4. The wiper arm clamp mounting structure according to claim 3. 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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