Abstract:
An adaptor and coupling structure of a vehicular wiper arm are provided. The adaptor has an altered pin coupling structure that is capable of coupling to a variety of wiper arms without using rivets, is easily coupled without manipulating the pin of a wiper arm, is coupled to pivot centrally around a wiper frame, and increases the pivoting supporting strength of a wiper. The pin coupling structure includes a pivoting portion pivotably inserted in a mounting bracket of the wiper frame. The pivoting portion forms a hollow part that guides and couples with the pin of the wiper arm. The wiper frame forms a guide notch for guiding and coupling with the pivoting portion.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE 
   Applicant claims foreign priority under Paris Convention and 35 U.S.C. § 119 to the Korean Patent Application No. 10-2006-0016099, filed Feb. 20, 2006 with the Korean Intellectual Property Office. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to an adaptor and coupling structure of a vehicular wiper arm, and more particularly, to a wiper arm adaptor with an altered pin coupling structure that is capable of coupling to a variety of wiper arms without using rivets, is easily coupled without manipulating the pin of a wiper arm, is coupled to pivot the adaptor centrally around a wiper frame, and increases the pivoting supporting strength of a wiper. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   A vehicular wiper, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , couples a wiper arm (that moves a wiper blade) to a frame  11  through an adaptor  10 . 
     FIG. 1  shows a structure for coupling an adaptor  10  to a frame  11  by permanently fixing a rivet  12   a  at the center of a mounting slot  12 . Here, the rivet  12   a  functions to fix the adaptor  10  and reinforce the frame  11 . Because the rivet  12   a  needs a separate riveting process to couple to the frame  11  (increasing the manufacturing process), it also requires additional parts, which can interfere with adjacent parts and limit the degree freedom in wiper design. 
     FIG. 2  shows another coupling structure of a wiper frame  11  to a wiper arm. A mounting slot  12  is first formed in the wiper frame  11 , and an adaptor  10  is positioned therein. A fastening pin  13  is then used to fasten the adaptor  10  to the frame  11 . 
   The structure of the wiper arm  14  for coupling to the adaptor  10  can adopt various configurations and shapes. The shape of the terminal coupling portion of the wiper arm  14  for coupling to the adaptor  10  can be grouped into two general categories: hooked-type and pin-type connectors. 
     FIG. 3A  shows a hooked-type connector at the end of a wiper arm  14  plate having a coupling slot  15  that fits over and couples with a protruding portion formed on the adaptor  10 . 
     FIG. 3B  shows a pin-type connector having a pin  16  protruding from a side at the end of the head of the wiper arm  14 , where the adaptor  10  is coupled to the pin  16 . 
   The coupling direction and structure of the wiper arm  14  is formed to correspond to the shape of the coupling portion at the end of the wiper arm  14 . 
   That is, if the wiper arm is a hooked-type arm, it inserts into the adaptor  10  from the top thereof; however, a pin-type arm inserts the pin  16  of the wiper arm  14  from the side of the wiper blade frame, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   Thus, because the role of an adaptor  10  is to mount the wiper arm  14  to the frame  11 , adaptors have been developed to accommodate the mounting of a variety of wiper arm  14  structures and specifications in both hooked and pin-types. 
     FIG. 4  shows a wiper arm frame with two small pin holes  18  and  19  formed therein at different locations to couple with a pin  16  of a wiper arm  14  having a different diameter. 
   However, because the two smaller pin holes  18  and  19  come in only two sizes, only two sizes of wiper arm  14  pins are compatible with this type of frame  11 . Also, because the central hole of the frame  11  has a fastening pin  13  inserted therein for fastening the adaptor  10  to the frame  11 , this hole cannot be used. In order to couple the pin  16  of the wiper arm in the adaptor  10 , the pin  16  is inserted in the pin hole  18  and  19 , and the corresponding hole of the adaptor  10  must be aligned precisely for the pin  16  to pass through, so that the coupling is inconvenient. The adaptor  10  functions to simply support the wiper arm  14  to be able to pivot against the frame  11 , and is seated and fixed to the frame  11  by only the fastening pin  13 . Therefore, it is difficult to maintain a firm coupling, and the supporting strength weakens over time. Because the fastening pin  13  used is generally a rivet, the riveting process permanently fixes the frame  11 , so that reinforcing of the frame  11  necessitates a coupling of the adaptor  10  and a separate riveting process, increasing the number of parts and complicating the process. The pin  16  of the wiper arm  14  cannot be inserted into the riveted fastening pin  13 , so that a small area must be used, which limits freedom of design. 
   Furthermore, the adaptor  10  does not have a role other than fixing the wiper arm  14  to the frame  11 , and is located in an area subject to much wind resistance, so that it can cause wind-induced streaking and judder. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a vehicle wiper arm adaptor that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art. 
   An object of the present invention is to provide a simplified adaptor allowing facile coupling of a wiper arm and frame without a riveting process. By altering the shape and structure of the adaptor and frame, the pin on the wiper arm does not have to be manipulated for obtaining a simple coupling, and separate rivets do not have to be used, reducing the number of parts required. 
   Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings. 
   To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided an adaptor inserted and installed on a mounting bracket of a wiper frame having a wiper blade installed thereon, the adaptor forming a pin hole for guiding and inserting a pin of a wiper arm, wherein the wiper frame forms a hole corresponding to the pin hole, the adaptor including: a pivoting portion pivotably inserted along the mounting bracket, and including an integrally formed hollow part for guiding and coupling with the pin of the wiper arm. 
   In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a coupling structure of a wiper including: a wiper arm including a pin on an end thereof; a wiper frame including a mounting bracket that defines a guide notch; and an adaptor inserted and installed on the mounting bracket, wherein the adaptor includes: a pin hole formed therein for selectively receiving the pin; and an integrally formed pivoting portion guided and pivotably inserted in the guide notch, and having a hollow part for selectively guiding and coupling with the pin. 
   It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a wiper arm coupling structure according to the related art; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of another wiper arm coupling structure according to the related art; 
       FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of a hooked-type wiper arm according to the related art; 
       FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of a pin-type wiper arm according to the related art; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing a pin coupling structure according to the related art; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing a pin coupling structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a plan view of a wiper arm adaptor according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a frontal view of a wiper arm adaptor according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a sectional view of a wiper arm adaptor according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing a wiper frame structure for coupling with an adaptor according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 10  is a sectional view showing a coupled wiper adaptor according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in  FIGS. 5 through 10 . Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
     FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing a pin coupling structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6  is a plan view of a wiper arm adaptor according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 7  is a frontal view of a wiper arm adaptor according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 8  is a sectional view of a wiper arm adaptor according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing a wiper frame structure for coupling with an adaptor according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 10  is a sectional view showing a coupled wiper adaptor according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
   A wiper arm adaptor  60  according to embodiments of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 5 through 10 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 5 through 10 , an adaptor  60  for a wiper arm according to the present invention is pivotably inserted and installed on a mounting bracket  71  of a wiper frame  70  having a wiper blade  80 . 
   The adaptor  60  forms a pin hole  61  in which a pin  91  of a wiper arm  90  inserts, and the wiper frame  70  forms a hole  72  corresponding to the pin hole  61 , so that the wiper arm adaptor  60  may be installed on the wiper frame  70 . 
   In further detail, when the adaptor  60  is fitted onto the mounting bracket  71  of the wiper frame  70 , in order to allow a pivotable mounting thereof, a pivoting portion  63  is integrally formed and has a hollow part  62  to receive and couple with the pin  91  of the wiper arm  90 . 
   A rib  64  extends downward on the adaptor  60  to mount over the mounting bracket  71  of the wiper frame  70 . 
   The adaptor  60  may also include an air spoiler  65  formed thereon for directing oncoming air in an upward direction. 
   In the coupling structure of the wiper adaptor according to the present invention (as shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  9 , and  10 ), in order to pivotably insert and mount the adaptor  60  on the mounting bracket  71  of the wiper frame  70  having the wiper blade  80  mounted thereon, the adaptor  60  forms the pin hole  61  for inserting the pin  91  of the wiper arm  90 , and the wiper frame  70  forms a hole  72  corresponding to the pin hole  61 , in order to install the adaptor  60  on the wiper arm  90 . 
   More specifically, the adaptor  60  has a pivoting portion  63  that is integrally formed and includes a hollow part  62  to receive and couple with the pin  91  of the wiper arm  90  when the adaptor  60  is fitted onto the mounting bracket  71  of the wiper frame  70 , in order to allow a pivotable mounting thereof. 
   The wiper frame  70 , on which the adaptor  60  is mounted, has a guide notch  73  for guiding and coupling the pivoting portion  63  of the adaptor  60 . 
   Also, the guide notch  73  formed on the wiper frame  70 , for guiding the pivoting portion  63  of the adaptor  60 , may be formed symmetrically in both directions to balance the overall pivoting of the adaptor  60  and prevent gaps. 
   The guide notch  73  formed on the wiper frame  70  may be formed on the end portion of the mounting bracket  71  of the wiper frame  70 , and a sloping surface  74  may be formed at the edge of the guide notch  73  in order to facilitate the insertion of the pivoting portion  63  of the adaptor  60 . 
   The effects of the wiper arm adaptor and its coupling structure according to the present invention are as follows. 
   The wiper arm adaptor  60  according to the present invention, as shown in  FIGS. 5 through 10 , has a coupling slot  66  formed vertically and symmetrically on both sides thereof for sliding over both portions of the mounting bracket  71  when seating the adaptor  60  over the mounting bracket  71  of the wiper frame  70 . 
   The wiper frame  70  includes the mounting bracket  71  for mounting the adaptor  60 , so that when the adaptor  60  is pressed into the mounting bracket  71  to be assembled with the wiper frame  70 , the pin hole  61  and hole  72  are mutually aligned for guiding the coupling of the pin  91  of the wiper arm  90 . 
   When the adaptor  60  is inserted over the mounting bracket  71  of the wiper frame  70 , it is pivotably coupled through the pivoting portion  63 . The pivoting portion  63  has a hollow part  62  for guiding the pin  91  of the wiper arm  90 —that is, the hollow part  62  is formed in the pivoting portion  63  that is installed in the mounting bracket  71  of the wiper frame  70 . The pivoting part  63  is formed integrally on the main body of the adaptor and is coupled to the wiper frame  70  without the use of other rivets or fasteners. The hollow part  62  formed in the pivoting portion  63  may be used as an alternate hole to the pin hole  61  for receiving the pin  91  of the wiper arm  90 . 
   The rib  64  is formed downwards on the adaptor  60  to be inserted over the mounting bracket  71  of the wiper frame  70 . 
   Also, the air spoiler  65  may be disposed on the adaptor to direct oncoming air upward, in order to reduce air resistance when driving. 
   Thus, the adaptor  60  according to the present invention can be coupled to the wiper frame  70  without separate rivets or fasteners, to alleviate many problems associated with a wiper structure according to the related art that uses a pre-riveted frame, which is then coupled at its center to an adaptor. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  9 , and  10 , in the wiper arm adaptor according to the present invention, the pivoting portion  63  of the adaptor  60  is inserted along the mounting bracket  71  of the wiper frame  70 . 
   The integrally formed pivoting portion  63  of the adaptor  60  has a hollow part  62  that guides and couples the pin  91  of the wiper arm  90 . The pivoting portion  63 , having the hollow part  62 , pivotably mounts to the mounting bracket  71  of the wiper frame  70 . 
   To guide and couple the pivoting portion  63  of the adaptor  60 , a guide notch  73  is provided at the edge portion of the mounting bracket  71  of the wiper frame  70 . In this way, the adaptor  60  can be easily and firmly coupled to the wiper arm without movement of the frame  70  or gaps created. 
   The guide notch  73 , for guiding the pivoting portion  63  of the adaptor  60  at the edge portion of the mounting bracket  71  of the wiper frame  70 , is formed symmetrically on both sides, so that when the pivoting portion  63  of the adaptor  60  is coupled thereto and pivots, an unbalanced pivoting or the formation of gaps can be prevented. The guide notch  73  formed, in the mounting bracket  71  of the wiper frame  70 , forms the sloped surface  74  to facilitate guiding and coupling of the pivoting portion  63  of the adaptor  60 . 
   The present invention uses the pivoting portion  63  of the adaptor  60  to fix the adaptor  60  to the frame  70 , without using rivets. At the same time, the pivoting portion  63  forms the hollow part  62  within with the adjacent pin hole  61  in order to allow a variety of pins  91  of wiper arms  90  to be easily fixed to the frame without further manipulation. That is, the aligned pin holes  61  (including the hollow part  62 ) allow a wide assortment of pins  91  of wiper arms  90  to be fastened thereto. 
   The wiper arm adaptor and its coupling structure according to the present invention allows a simple coupling without manipulating the wiper arm pin, while eliminating the need for a rivet (that was coupled to the frame for reinforcing the frame and coupling the frame to the wiper arm in the related art). By not using a rivet, the number of parts, the number of manufacturing processes, and resultantly, the cost of the simplified manufacturing of the wiper are reduced. Also, an assortment of wiper arms may be coupled to the frame. Additionally, when the adaptor is coupled to the frame using the pivoting portion, judder or other problems due to movement of the adaptor or a gap formed can be prevented, providing a high-quality wiper. 
   It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.