WIPER BLADE AND WIPER DEVICE

A wiper blade includes: a contact member having a relatively high length-to-width ratio and sliding along a surface of a contact target while maintaining direct contact with the surface; and a cover member provided across the contact member from the contact target. The cover member includes a connecting portion connected to the contact member and an exposed portion provided on top of the connecting portion. The exposed portion includes a plurality of support members longitudinally disposed at intervals and a finishing member longitudinally connecting the tops of the support members, thereby forming an open-frame structure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0077666, filed Jun. 16, 2023, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein for all purposes by this reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a wiper blade and wiper device.

A wiper device is generally installed in a vehicle to wipe the surface of the windshield. The wiper device comprises a wiper motor, a wiper arm, a wiper blade, and the like, and an adapter may be used for structural connection between the wiper arm and the wiper blade.

The wiper arm is connected to the pivoting shaft of the wiper motor at its base to be driven by the wiper motor to pivot in a reciprocating manner. Depending on the windshield size, one or more wiper arms are provided. When a plurality of wiper arms are provided, the wiper arms are provided such that their reciprocations do not interfere with each other.

In addition, the wiper blade is detachably coupled to the end of the wiper arm through the adapter. The wiper blade has a straight-line shape and slides across the surface of the windshield to clean the surface, driven by the movement of the pivoting wiper arm while maintaining direct contact with the windshield.

The wiper blades are generally used to wipe away raindrops falling on the windshield during rainy weather to ensure clear visibility for the driver. However, when a part of the wiper blade that is in contact with the windshield moves in one direction to clean the windshield and then returns, the part in contact with the windshield drags the rainwater back to blur the windshield.

This phenomenon, referred to as the water drag by the wiper, significantly reduces the driver's visibility and acts as a hindrance to safe driving. In particular, nighttime driving in rain may be especially hazardous due to the water drag phenomenon.

SUMMARY

The present invention is intended to address the issue in the related art as described above. An object of the present invention is to provide a wiper blade and a wiper device having a cover member structured to be penetrated in the width direction to suppress water drag caused by the airflow passing over the cover member.

A wiper blade according to an aspect of the present invention comprises a contact member having a relatively high length-to-width ratio and sliding along the surface of a contact target while maintaining direct contact with the surface; and a cover member provided across the contact member from the contact target, wherein the cover member comprises a connecting portion connected to the contact member and an exposed portion provided on top of the connecting portion, and the exposed portion comprises a plurality of support members longitudinally disposed at intervals and a finishing member longitudinally connecting the tops of the support members, thereby forming an open-frame structure.

Specifically, the exposed portion may have a lateral cross-section in a tapering shape that widens downwards.

Specifically the exposed portion may have a lateral flow path for a fluid to pass through between the support members longitudinally disposed at intervals.

Specifically, the support member may include a plurality of first support members inclining in a first length direction from the bottom to the top, and the flow path may be configured as a parallelogram.

Specifically, the support member may further include a plurality of second support members inclining in a second length direction, opposite the first length direction, from the bottom to the top.

Specifically, the first support member and the second support member may intersect at a predetermined point in the height direction.

Specifically, the second support member may have a smaller width than the first support member.

Specifically, the flow path may be provided at least on the lower side, among the lower and upper sides with respect to the intersection point between the first support member and the second support member, to allow fluid flow.

Specifically, the second support member may be provided with a curved member extending in the first length direction from the intersection point with the first support member.

Specifically, the contact member may be concave towards the surface of the contact target when not in direct contact with the contact target and deform to conform to the surface of the contact target when in direct contact with the contact target, while the cover member has an open-frame structure so that interference against the deformation of the contact member may be reduced.

Specifically, the cover member may be provided with a flow path larger at the longitudinal center portion than at either end along its length.

Specifically, the flow path in the cover member may gradually increase in size as the longitudinal center portion is approached from either end along its length.

Specifically, the plurality of support members may incline in the first length direction from the bottom to the top to form a parallelogram-shaped flow path, and the exposed portion may further include an interference member provided in the flow path to interfere with the fluid passing through the flow path.

Specifically, the interference member may have a smaller width than the support member and may incline in the second length direction opposite the first length direction from the bottom to the top.

A wiper blade according to an aspect of the present invention comprises a contact member having a relatively high length-to-width ratio and sliding along the surface of a contact target while maintaining direct contact with the surface; and a cover member provided across the contact member from the contact target, wherein the cover member comprises a connecting portion connected to the contact member and an exposed portion provided on top of the connecting portion, and the exposed portion has a lateral cross-section in a tapering shape that widens downwards to impede fluid flow in the width direction on the contact target and generate a negative pressure on one side but has an open-frame structure at least along its width to guide the fluid flow from the other side to the one side and increase the pressure on the one side.

The wiper device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a wiper blade and an adapter provided at one point on the wiper blade to be coupled to the wiper arm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An object, specific advantages, and novel features of the present invention will be made clearer from the following description and preferred embodiments associated with the accompanying drawings. It is to be noted that in assigning reference numerals to the components in each drawing in this specification, the same components are intended to have the same numeral as much as possible even when they are shown in different drawings. In addition, when it is determined that the specific description of widely-known related technology obscures the gist of the present invention inadvertently, the detailed description thereof will be omitted in the description of the present invention.

In this specification, the length direction refers to the direction in which the wiper blade is elongated, which may mean the right-left direction inFIG.4. In addition, the width direction is the direction orthogonal to the length direction, which may mean the up-down direction inFIG.4. In addition, the height direction may refer to the direction away from the contact target with which the wiper blade makes direct contact, which may mean the up-down direction inFIG.2. It is to be noted that the directionality is only for convenience in describing the present invention and does not limit the scope of rights of the present invention.

In addition, movements or motions described herein are relative and the positions of components other than the moving components are not to be construed as fixed. Further, expressions such as connecting, engaging, interlocking, fixing, and the like encompass direct interactions between two components as well as indirect interactions with other components disposed in between.

The wiper blade and wiper device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the diagrams in the following

FIG.1is a perspective view of a wiper device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;FIG.2is a side view of a wiper device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;FIG.3is a side view of a wiper device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;FIG.4is a partial plan view of a wiper device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS.5to8are partial perspective views of a wiper device according to a first embodiment of the present invention andFIGS.9and10are cross-sectional views of a wiper device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.FIG.9is a cross-sectional view taken along A-A′ inFIG.2, andFIG.10is a cross-sectional view taken along B-B′ inFIG.2.

FIGS.1to10show that a wiper device according to the first embodiment of the present invention may include a wiper blade1and an adapter2. The wiper device of the present invention may include the wiper blade1and the adapter2described below and may further include a wiper arm.

It is to be noted that the wiper arm pivots around its base and is connected to the wiper blade1at its end. The adapter2may be utilized to connect the wiper arm with the wiper blade1. The wiper arm delivers pivoting force to the wiper blade1to realize the cleaning of a contact target by the wiper blade1.

Here, the contact target may be the windshield of a vehicle but is not limited thereto. Any object that can be cleaned by sliding may be the contact target.

The wiper arm is directly or indirectly connected to a driving source (motor, etc.) provided in a vehicle or the like so that its end pivots in an arc, driven by the rotational force of the driving source. At this time, the wiper blade1is connected to the end of the wiper arm so that the wiper blade1may realize cleaning while moving in a predetermined path in direct contact with the contact target.

The wiper arm may have a variety of unlimited shapes, and the shape of the adapter2may be freely modified to conform to the shape of the wiper arm. The adapter2may be configured as a multi-fastening type to which a plurality of wiper arms having different shapes may be selectively coupled

The wiper blade1cleans the surface of the contact target while moving in direct contact with the contact target. At this time, the contact target may be any object that can be cleaned by sliding on the windshield of a vehicle and the like, as described above. The wiper blade1includes a contact member10, an elastic member20, and a cover member30.

The contact member10has a relatively high length-to-width ratio and slides along the surface of the contact target while maintaining direct contact with the surface. The contact member10has a cross-sectional structure allowing direct contact with the surface as well as appropriate friction against the surface to facilitate smooth sliding for cleaning. For example, the contact member10may have a V-shaped cross-section extending in the length direction, as illustrated inFIG.9and the like.

The contact member10may be configured to minimize the contact area with the contact target. In addition, the contact member10may be made of a material such as rubber that has a cushioning capacity for direct contact with the surface. Hereinafter, the side of the contact member10that comes into direct contact with the contact target is referred to as a contact edge11.

When no external force is applied, the contact edge11of the contact member10may be in a shape different from the surface of the contact target. In other words, the contact member10may be concave towards the surface of the contact target when not in direct contact with the contact target.

However, once the wiper blade1is coupled to the wiper arm through the adapter2to come into direct contact with the contact target, the contact member10is deformed to conform to the surface of the contact target. At this time, the contact member10may be deformed in the direction of resisting the elastic force of the elastic member20to maintain an appropriate contacting pressure by the continuous application of the elastic force from the elastic member20.

The contact member10may engage with the elastic member20. As illustrated inFIG.9, the contact member10is provided with a contact edge11at the bottom and a groove12in the width direction at the top. At least a part of the elastic member20is seated in the groove12. In other words, the contact member10is in direct contact with the contact target at the bottom and engages with the elastic member20at the top to be subject to an elastic force. In addition, the contact member10may be directly or indirectly connected at the top to the cover member30to be described below.

The contact member10and the elastic member20may not securely engage with each other by their mutual coupling alone. The elastic member20may be secured between the contact member10and the cover member30, with an inner side seated in the contact member10and the outer side surrounded by the cover member30to be described below.

The elastic member20applies an elastic force to the contact member10. The elastic member20may be made of a material (metal, etc.) stiffer than the contact member10or the cover member30to be described below and may be configured to maintain the elongated shape of the wiper blade1.

For example, the elastic member20may be configured in the shape of a leaf spring, but the structure or material may be varied as long as the contact member maintains direct contact with the contact target as a whole.

The elastic member20may be provided in a pair and may be provided on either side of the contact member10in the width direction. To this end, the contact member10may be provided with grooves12for the insertion of the elastic member20on either side, as illustrated inFIG.9.

The elastic member20imparts to the contact member10an elastic force to return to a more curved shape than the contact target. Therefore, when the contact member10is pressed against the contact target by the wiper arm, the contact edge11of the contact member10is pressed by the wiper arm to deform into a shape conforming to the surface of the contact target but earns the force to push the contact target by the elastic force of the elastic member20. This allows the contact member10to be securely in direct contact with the contact target.

The cover member30is provided across the contact member10from the contact target.

The cover member30may close the connection between the contact member10and the elastic member20to ensure an aesthetic appearance while preventing separation of the elastic member20.

The upper portion and the lower portion of the cover member30in the height direction may be referred to as a connecting portion31and an exposed portion32respectively. The connecting portion31is connected to the contact member10, and the exposed portion32is provided on top of the connecting portion31. The connecting portion31and the exposed portion32may be separately made to be subsequently assembled together or may be integrally made without structural separation.

The connecting portion31of the cover member30has a C-shaped structure surrounding the elastic member20inserted into the groove12of the contact member10on either side in the width direction. The cover member30, like the contact member10, may also be provided with a groove311for the insertion of the elastic member20, and the groove311of the cover member30may be provided opposite the groove12of the contact member10. At this time, the inner end of the elastic member20is inserted into the groove12of the contact member10and the outer end is inserted into the groove311of the cover member30so that the elastic member20is fixedly positioned between the contact member10and the cover member30. This allows the inner side of the elastic member20in the width direction to be surrounded by the contact member10and the outer side to be surrounded by the cover member30.

In other words, the cover member30and the contact member10may be coupled to each other with the elastic member20disposed in between. The cover member30and the contact member10may structurally engage with each other to be secured, and other physical and chemical engaging methods may be utilized in various manners. In addition, various non-limiting securing structures other than the method described above may be utilized.

The connecting portion31, which is the bottom of the cover member30, may surround the elastic member20connected to the contact member10as described above. In contrast, the exposed portion32, which is the top of the cover member30, may be a part exposed to the outside when the wiper blade1is placed on the contact target.

At this time, the exposed portion32may have a structure designed to disperse the wind and avoid wind resistance to prevent the wiper blade1from being moved or lifted by the wind while the vehicle is driving.

The exposed portion32may have a lateral cross-section in a tapering shape that widens downwards. For example, the exposed portion32may have an A-shaped or mountain-shaped cross-section extending in the length direction. Alternatively, the exposed portion32may have a symmetrical or asymmetrical pointed cross-section that tapers towards the top, like a wave, and extends in the length direction.

Of course, since the contact member10may be secured at a specific position on the contact target by the wiper arm or the like, the exposed portion32, which is the top of the cover member30, may be designed in various shapes beyond those previously mentioned, taking into accounts factors such as wind resistance, aesthetic appearance. In particular, the exposed portion32has an open-frame structure in the present invention. This will be described below.

The cover member30may be made of a material having a higher stiffness than the contact member10, and the elastic member20is accommodated between the cover member30and the contact member10so that the elastic member20made of metal or the like is surrounded by the cover member30and the contact member10, and thus contact with moisture is prevented. Therefore, rusting of the metal elastic member20may be suppressed.

A pair of cover members30may be separately provided along its length. This is to ensure that the adapter2, to be described below, engages the longitudinal center portion of the wiper blade1.

In other words, each of the pair of cover members30may be provided on either side of the adapter2along its length. However, the adapter2is provided to partially overlap the pair of cover members30at least so that the gap between the cover member30and the adapter2may be minimized. For example, the cover member30is provided only with the connecting portion31without the exposed portion32in the part where the adapter2is provided so that the connecting portion31is continuously provided in the length direction of the wiper blade1even though there is no exposed portion32on either side of the adapter2. Therefore, exposure of the elastic member20may be prevented.

The exposed portion32may have a support member321and a finishing member322. A plurality of support member321is longitudinally disposed at intervals. The support member321extends upwards from the top of the connecting portion31by a predetermined height and may incline at a predetermined angle in the length direction.

The plurality of support members321may incline at the same angle. In other words, all the support members321may be parallel to each other. The support members321are longitudinally disposed at intervals, and fluid movement in the width direction is allowed in the space between at least two support members321.

The finishing member322longitudinally connects the tops of the support members321. The finishing member322and the support member321may be assembled together or may be integrally manufactured. The finishing member322and the support member321may be connected without forming a step difference. In other words, viewed from the lateral cross-section, the support member321and the finishing member322may be continuously connected.

At least two or more support members321extend upward from the top of the connecting portion31and the finishing member322connects the plurality of support members321so that a lateral passage is formed by the top of the connecting portion31, support member321, and the finishing member322. At this time, the passage may have a closed cross section and guides the fluid flow in the width direction.

In other words, longitudinally disposing a plurality of support members321at intervals on the connecting portion31and providing at least one finishing member322connecting all the tops of the plurality of support members321in the exposed portion32allow the exposed portion32to have an open-frame structure at least along its width. Therefore, the exposed portion32has a lateral flow path323for fluid to pass through between the support members321longitudinally disposed at intervals. This causes the fluid flowing in the width direction of the wiper blade1to pass through the cover member30so that the water drag phenomenon is suppressed. This will be described in detail below.

In addition, the exposed portion32forms a flow path323in a closed cross section formed by the support member321, finishing member322, and the like so that the fluid passing through the flow path323may be accelerated. This allows the exposed portion32to deliver the accelerated fluid to quickly resolve a pressure difference when the pressure difference occurs between one side and the other side in the width direction. This will be described in detail with reference toFIG.11and the like.

The flow path323may be densely provided between either end of the cover member30in the length direction to effectively suppress water drag over the entire length of the wiper blade1. In other words, the cover member30has an open-frame structure so that the flow paths323may be uniformly disposed throughout rather than partially disposed in a part of the longitudinal center portion or a part of either end.

In addition, the cover member30may have lateral cross-sections of varying areas along its length. For example, the cover member30may have lateral cross-sections that increase at least in height, from among the height and width, as the longitudinal center portion is approached from either end along its length. At this time, the flow path323may also gradually increase in size (at least the height) as the longitudinal center portion is approached from either end along its length.

The support member321provided in the exposed portion32may include a first support member3211and a second support member3212. A plurality of first support member3211may be provided, inclining in a first length direction from the bottom to the top.

The plurality of first support members3211are provided in parallel from the longitudinal center portion to either end along the length of the wiper blade1. In addition, the first support member3211may be symmetrically provided with respect to the wiper blade1along its length. In other words, as illustrated inFIG.2, the plurality of first support members3211longitudinally provided on one side of the adapter may incline to the left from the bottom to the top, and the plurality of first support members3211provided on the other side of the adapter2may incline to the right from the bottom to the top, as illustrated inFIG.3

The exposed portion32has parallelogram-shaped flow paths323through the plurality of first support members3211inclining in parallel. Of course, the flow paths323may also be symmetrically shaped on either side of the adapter2.

A plurality of second support member3212is provided, inclining in a second length direction opposite the first length direction from the bottom to the top. The number of secondary support member3212may correspond to the number of the first support member3211and/or the number of flow path323.

The second support member3212, like the first support member3211, is also symmetrically provided on either side of the adapter2along its length. In other words, as illustrated inFIG.2, the plurality of second support members3212provided on one side of the adapter2along its length incline to the right from the bottom to the top, and the plurality of second support members3212provided on the other side of the adapter2incline to the left from the bottom to the top, as illustrated inFIG.3.

At least a part of the second support member3212may be provided in the flow path323surrounded by the first support member3211and the finishing member322. However, a part of the second support member3212may be positioned in one flow path323, and the rest may be positioned in another flow path323.

In other words, the second support member3212intersects the first support portion3211at a predetermined point in the height direction. Therefore, the first support member3211and the second support member3212intersecting each other may form an X shape having an intersection point. Therefore, the exposed portion32may form a truss structure through the first support member3211and the second support member3212inclining in opposite directions, thereby ensuring the durability of the open-frame structure.

The flow paths323are provided above and below the intersection point between the first support member3211and the second support member3212to allow fluid flow.

The exposed portion32forms an open-frame structure to allow fluid to pass through in the width direction so that the water drag phenomenon may be suppressed, but as the degree of opening increases, the effect of preventing the lifting of the wiper blade may be reduced. To address this issue, the first support member3211and the second support member3212form a structure having an intersection point to ensure basic lifting prevention function.

In the exposed portion32, the first support member3211may be provided to form a flow path323that guides the fluid's movement in the width direction, while the second support member3212may be provided to enhance the durability of the exposed portion32. In this case, the second support member3212may have a smaller width than the first support member3211, but the configuration is not limited thereto.

In addition, the second support member3212may be provided with a curved member3213at the intersection point with the first support member3211. As illustrated inFIG.8, the curved member3213may extend from the second support member3212in the first length direction with respect to the intersection point and may have its durability reinforced through the second support member3212.

In the cover member30having an open-frame structure, a flow path323is formed by the support member321(the first support member3211in particular). At this time, the configuration previously referred to as the second support member3212may be defined as an interference member3212.

In other words, the exposed portion32has a plurality of support member321longitudinally disposed at intervals and forms an open-frame structure having a parallelogram-shaped flow path323by the plurality of support members321inclining in the length direction. Furthermore, the exposed portion32further includes the interference member3212provided in the flow path323to interfere with the fluid passing through the flow path323.

The interference member3212has a smaller width than the support member321and inclines from the bottom to the top in a second length direction opposite the first length direction in which the support member321inclines.

The description of the specific shape of the interference member3212may be substituted with the previous description of the second support member3212. However, in the present embodiment, the interference member3212is provided in the flow path323so that the fluid passing through the flow path323quickly may be regulated.

The adapter2is provided at one point of the wiper blade1to be coupled to the wiper arm. The adapter2may be an intermediate connecting body for connecting the wiper arm and the wiper blade1to each other.

As described above, the exposed portion32of the cover member30has a lateral cross-section having a tapering shape that widens downward to disperse wind. However, the exposed portion32may not be provided at least in the longitudinal center portion of the wiper blade1, and the adapter2may be coupled thereto.

The adapter2may be designed to be attachable to and detachable from the wiper blade1or the wiper arm, but separability is not a requirement. In other words, the adapter2may be integrally formed with a part of the wiper blade1, or at least a part of the adapter2may be integrated with the wiper blade1and/or the wiper arm.

The adapter2may include a base (reference numeral is not shown) fixed to the wiper blade1and a body (reference numeral is not shown) rotatably connected to the top of the base in the length direction.

The base may be provided between a pair of exposed portions32in the wiper blade1, or the base may be fixedly installed in the center portion of the wiper blade1from which the exposed portion32is omitted. The base may be coupled to the elastic member20while enclosing the elastic member20. This configuration allows for the omission of the cover member30in the part where the base is installed.

The body is connected to the base through a protrusion structure but is provided to be rotatable in the length direction relative to the base. In addition, the body is structured to allow the wiper arms to be attached and detached.

In other words, the body is connected to the base at the bottom and is connected to the wiper arm at the top so that the wiper blade1and the wiper arm may be interconnected. At this time, the body is detachable from the wiper arm so that the user may disengage the body from the wiper arm when the user intends to replace the wiper blade1.

In addition, as described above, the contact member10is concave towards the surface of the contact target when not in direct contact with the contact target and deforms to conform to the surface of the contact target when in direct contact with the contact target. The cover member30may assist the contact member10in the deformation. In other words, the cover member30has the open-frame structure so that the elastic resistance against the deformation of the contact member10may be reduced, compared to the conventional case of a closed structure.

The cover member30may be made of a stiffer material than the contact member10. However, even so, the cover member30is structured to be easily deformable through the support member321and the like. Compared to the conventional case, the present invention allows the contact member10to be deformed more effectively to conform to the surface of the contact target.

The effectiveness of the present invention in reducing the water drag phenomenon will be described with reference toFIGS.11and12and the like below.

FIG.11is a view describing water drag of a wiper device, andFIG.12is a view showing experiment results of the water drag of a wiper device according to a comparative example and the present invention.

FIG.11shows that the contact edge11of the contact member10in the wiper device is in direct contact with the windshield and that the pivoting of the wiper arm moves the contact edge11right and left, in relation toFIG.11.

The cover member30across from the contact member10has a tapering shape that widens downwards to disperse the wind flowing in the height direction. However, as shown inFIG.11, when a wind flowing in the width direction of the wiper blade1is present, the lateral flowing is impeded by the mountain-shaped cover member30.

At this time, a positive pressure is generated on the right side of the cover member30inFIG.11while a negative pressure is generated on the left side in contrast to the right side. As a result, a part of the airflow on the left side of the cover member30bends to flow back to the right side, resulting in a backflow. This backflow pushes the water, wiped away by the contact edge11when the contact edge11moves from the right to the left, to the right when the contact edge11moves from the left to the right.

Therefore, at least a part of the water wiped away to the left by the contact edge11is dragged back to the right, and this water drag phenomenon obscures a part of the windshield to obstruct the driver's vision and compromise safe driving.

To address this issue, the present invention proposes that the cover member30have the exposed portion32having an open-frame structure along its length. In other words, the exposed portion32has a lateral cross-section in a tapering shape that widens downwards to impede lateral fluid movement on the windshield so that the negative pressure on one side of the exposed portion32and the positive pressure on the other side are regulated. Simultaneously, the exposed portion32has an open-frame structure along its length so that the exposed portion32may guide fluid flow from the other side to one side.

This allows the exposed portion32to increase the pressure on one side to eliminate the pressure difference between the negative and positive pressures and significantly reduce the water drag phenomenon caused by the negative pressure. In other words, the open-frame structure of the exposed portion32generates a fluid flow from the right to the left inFIG.11. In particular, this fluid flow passes through the flow path323of the exposed portion32and may be accelerated by the flow path323formed as a closed cross section.

In other words, the flow path323is designed in a duct shape to accelerate fluid flow, rapidly transferring fluid flow from the right to the left as shown inFIG.11. This allows the cover member30to alleviate the negative pressure generated on the left side of the exposed portion32, thereby effectively reducing the water drag phenomenon.

This will be described again with reference toFIG.12. The left side ofFIG.12shows a comparative example in which the cover member30does not have an open-frame structure so that the fluid cannot pass through the cover member30in the width direction, and the right side ofFIG.12shows the present embodiment in which the cover member30has an open-frame structure.

As shown inFIG.12, water drag was observed while the vehicle was driven at a predetermined speed (80 km/h or 100 km/h) with a ruler attached to the left side of the windshield. The experiment results show that when the vehicle was driven at 80 km/h, water drag up to 97 mm was observed in the comparative example while water drag was substantially reduced to a maximum of 35 mm (a 36% reduction) in the present embodiment.

In addition, when the vehicle was driven at 100 km/h, water drag up to 78 mm was observed in the comparative example while water drag was reduced to a maximum of 55 mm (a 70% reduction) in the present embodiment. In other words, it was confirmed that the present embodiment reduces water drag by at least 30% relative to the comparative example during high-speed driving where securing the driver's vision is crucial.

The present invention has been described in detail through a specific embodiment, but this is intended to describe the present invention specifically, and the invention is not limited to the embodiment. It will be apparent that modifications or improvements may be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention.

Simple modifications and alterations of the present invention all fall within the scope of the present invention, and the specific scope of protection of the present invention will be made clear by the attached patent claims.

The wiper blade and wiper device according to the present invention include a cover member structured with a plurality of support longitudinally disposed at intervals to allow the airflow to pass in the width direction of the wiper blade, thereby minimizing the water drag phenomenon to ensure safe driving.

In addition, the wiper blade and wiper device according to the present invention includes a cover member in an open-frame structure to allow a more flexible longitudinal elastic deformation of the contact member, thereby improving the adhesion performance to the windshield.