WIPER DEVICE

Wiper device includes: an adhering member for wiping off the foreign matters; a support member for elastically supporting the adhering member; and a cover member with an inner space accommodating the support member. The cover member includes: an upper surface with inclination from a lower corner to a top corner with respect to a horizontal plane, based on a cross section perpendicular to a longitudinal direction; and a vertical lateral surface formed vertically with respect to the horizontal plane and meeting the upper surface to form the top corner. The upper surface includes: a first inclined surface forming an acute angle with the horizontal plane and starting from the lower corner; and a second inclined surface forming an obtuse angle with the first inclined surface and continuing to the first inclined surface to extend to the top corner.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a wiper device.

2. Discussion of Related Art

In general, when a windshield surface is contaminated due to dust or various foreign matters in the air or snow or rain caused by weather conditions in a running vehicle, it becomes difficult to secure a field of view, which adversely affects safe driving. Accordingly, a wiper device for a vehicle for wiping off snow, rain, or foreign matters on the windshield surface is installed in the vehicle as means of securing a field of view for driver's safe driving.

However, when a strong traveling wind is generated due to high-speed driving of a vehicle, a wiper device does not adhere to a window due to the traveling wind, thereby causing a problem in that wiping is not performed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a wiper device capable of maintaining wiping performance by adhering to a window despite a strong traveling wind.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a wiper device configured for removing foreign matters attached to a window and connected to a wiper arm includes: an adhering member configured to wipe off the foreign matters; a support member configured to elastically support the adhering member so that the adhering member adheres to the window; and a cover member having an inner space formed therein, the inner space accommodating the support member, wherein the cover member includes: an upper surface with an inclination that rises from a lower corner to a top corner with respect to a horizontal plane, based on a cross section perpendicular to a longitudinal direction; and a vertical lateral surface formed vertically with respect to the horizontal plane and meeting the upper surface to form the top corner, and wherein the upper surface includes: a first inclined surface forming an acute angle with respect to the horizontal plane and starting from the lower corner; and a second inclined surface forming an obtuse angle with respect to the first inclined surface, continuing to the first inclined surface, and extending to the top corner.

In the upper surface, a ratio (H/W) of a vertical height H to a horizontal width W may be 0.47 to 0.59.

The acute angle of the first inclined surface with respect to the horizontal plane may be 13° to 18°.

The obtuse angle of the second inclined surface with respect to the first inclined surface may be 110° to 120°.

The vertical lateral surface may form an inclination of 85° to 90° with respect to the horizontal plane.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1is a perspective view illustrating a wiper device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG. 2is an exploded perspective view illustrating the wiper device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, a wiper device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is configured to remove foreign matters attached to a window and is connected to a wiper arm, and includes an adhering member10, a support member20, and a cover member30.

The adhering member10is a part that adheres to the window to wipe off foreign matters, and as the adhering member10of the present embodiment, all of the known various adhering members10such as a wiper blade made of rubber may be used.

The support member20is a part that elastically supports the adhering member10so that the adhering member10adheres to the window. A plate-shaped spring may be used as the support member20.

Referring toFIG. 2, according to the present embodiment, a plate-shaped spring having a predetermined curvature and elastic force according to a window shape is used as the support member20, so that the wiper blade, which is the adhering member10, may adhere to a curved surface of a window of a vehicle.

In this case, mounting grooves are formed on either lateral surface of the adhering member10in a longitudinal direction, and the plate-shaped spring may be fitted into the mounting groove.

Meanwhile, an adapter40connected to a wiper arm (not illustrated) may be mounted on the support member20. The adapter40may include a first member42that is coupled to the support member20and a second member44that is rotatably connected to the first member42and coupled to the wiper arm.

The cover member30is configured to cover the support member20and has a form extending in the longitudinal direction of the support member20. The cover member30may have an inner space S formed therein to accommodate the support member20.

A spoiler structure is formed on an outer side of the cover member30of the present embodiment, so that it is possible to provide additional adhesion to the support member20by using air pressure.

FIG. 3is a cross-sectional view illustrating the cover member30in the wiper device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 3, the cover member30of the present embodiment may form a spoiler structure including an upper surface32and a vertical lateral surface34.

When viewed from a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the cover member30of the present embodiment may include a flat bottom surface (horizontal plane) and a base formed at a constant thickness with respect to the flat bottom surface. In this case, the upper surface32with an inclined structure that rises from one side toward the other side on the base may be formed. In addition, a lateral surface on the other side of the base may extend upward to form the vertical lateral surface34.

The inner space S open to the bottom is formed in the base, and a part of the adhering member10and the support member20are inserted and coupled thereto. An insertion groove into which the support member20is inserted may be formed on the lateral surface of the inner space S, and a coupling member22(refer toFIG. 2) may be added between the insertion groove and the support member20.

In addition, caps36are coupled to both end portions of the cover member30, and thus, the inner space S is not exposed to the outside.

Meanwhile, on one side of the spoiler, the upper surface32may meet the base to form a lower corner31, and on the other side thereof, the upper surface32may meet the vertical lateral surface34to form a top corner35. In this case, the lower corner31is disposed in a direction in which a traveling wind blows, and thus, may be a corner positioned in the forefront with respect to air acting on the spoiler. The top corner35may be a corner that is positioned in the opposite direction of the traveling wind and positioned at the top of the upper surface32.

Accordingly, the upper surface32may be provided with an inclination rising from the lower corner31to the top corner35with respect to the horizontal plane (bottom surface). In addition, the vertical lateral surface34may be formed vertically with respect to the horizontal plane and may meet the upper surface32to form the top corner35.

In particular, the upper surface32may include a first inclined surface32athat forms an acute angle a1with respect to the horizontal plane and starts from the lower corner31, and a second inclined surface32bthat forms an obtuse angle a2with respect to the first inclined surface32a, and continues to the first inclined surface32aand extends to the top corner35. Therefore, in the spoiler, a two-step inclined surface of the first inclined surface32aof the acute angle a1and the second inclined surface32bof the obtuse angle a2may be formed in a direction in which the traveling wind is received, and a vertical plane may be formed in an opposite direction to the direction.

In this case, the acute angle a1of the first inclined surface32awith respect to the horizontal plane may be 13° to 18°.

In addition, the obtuse angle a2of the second inclined surface32bwith respect to the first inclined surface32amay be 110° to 120°.

In addition, an angle a3of the vertical lateral surface34with respect to the horizontal plane may be 85° to 90°.

Meanwhile, in the upper surface32, a ratio (H/W) of a vertical height H to a horizontal width W may be 0.47 to 0.59.

In the spoiler structure of the present embodiment having the above-described conditions, it is confirmed through simulation and experimental results that high lift performance may be obtained. That is, it is confirmed that the wiper device according to the present embodiment may maintain the performance of the wiper device adhering to the window even in a high-speed traveling wind.

Specifically, the experimental results are as follows.

Table 1 shows the results of a floating test of the wiper device according to the change in the acute angle a1of the first inclined surface32a. Here, a floating speed is a maximum traveling wind speed at which the wiper device may be operated adhering to the window. In this case, the horizontal width W and the vertical height H of the upper surface32are maintained constant, and the vertical lateral surface34is also maintained at a constant angle.

Table 1 shows the floating speed of the wiper device according to the change in the acute angle a1of the first inclined surface32a, andFIG. 4is a graph illustrating the results of the floating test of the wiper device according to the change in the acute angle a1of the first inclined surface32a.

As shown in Table 1 andFIG. 4, initially, as the acute angle a1of the first inclined surface32aincreases, the floating speed tends to increase. That is, initially, the increase in the acute angle a1and the lift performance tend to be proportional. However, when the acute angle a1exceeds a certain value, the floating speed tends to decrease as the acute angle a1increases. That is, when the acute angle a1exceeds a certain value, the increase in the acute angle a1and the lift performance tend to be inversely proportional. In summary, it may be confirmed that the acute angle a1of the first inclined surface32atends to increase until it reaches a certain value and then decrease. In particular, through this experiment, when the acute angle a1of the first inclined surface32ais set to 13° to 18°, it may be confirmed that the wiper device has an effect of preventing the floating even for the high-speed traveling wind of 140 Km/h or more.

Table 2 shows the results of the floating test of the wiper device according to the change in the obtuse angle a2of the second inclined surface32b. Here, the floating speed is the maximum traveling wind speed at which the wiper device may be operated adhering to the window. In this case, the horizontal width W and the vertical height H of the upper surface32are maintained constant, and the acute angle a1of the first inclined surface32ais also maintained at a constant angle.

Table 2 shows the floating speed of the wiper device according to the change in the obtuse angle a2of the second inclined surface32b, andFIG. 5is a graph illustrating the results of floating test of the wiper device according to the change in the obtuse angle a2of the second inclined surface32b.

As shown in Table 2 andFIG. 5, initially, as the obtuse angle a2of the second inclined surface32bincreases, the floating speed tends to increase. That is, initially, the increase in the obtuse angle a2and the lift performance tend to be proportional. However, when the obtuse angle a2exceeds a certain value, the floating speed tends to decrease as the obtuse angle a2increases. That is, when the obtuse angle a2exceeds a certain value, the increase in the obtuse angle a2and the lift performance tend to be inversely proportional. In summary, it may be confirmed that the obtuse angle a2of the second inclined surface32btends to increase until it reaches a certain value and then decrease. In particular, through this experiment, when the obtuse angle a2of the second inclined surface32bis set to 110° to 120°, it may be confirmed that the wiper device has an effect of preventing the floating even for the high-speed traveling wind of 140 Km/h or more.

Table 3 shows the results of the floating test of the wiper device according to the change of the angle a3with respect to the horizontal plane of the vertical lateral surface34. Here, the floating speed is the maximum traveling wind speed at which the wiper device may be operated adhering to the window. In this case, the horizontal width W and the vertical height H of the upper surface32are maintained constant, and the acute angle a1of the first inclined surface32ais also maintained at a constant angle.

Table 3 shows the floating speed of the wiper device according to the change in the angle a3of the vertical lateral surface34, andFIG. 6is a graph illustrating the results of the floating test of the wiper device according to the change in the angle a3of the vertical lateral surface34.

As shown in Table 3 andFIG. 6, as the angle a3of the vertical lateral surface34increases, the floating speed also tends to increase until the angle a3becomes a right angle. That is, as the angle a3of the vertical lateral surface34is closer to the right angle, the lift performance tends to be improved. In particular, through this experiment, when the acute angle a3of the vertical lateral surface34is set to 85° to 90°, it may be confirmed that the wiper device has an effect of preventing the floating even for the high-speed traveling wind of 140 Km/h or more.

Table 4 shows the results of the floating test of the wiper device according to the change in the horizontal width W on the upper surface32. Here, the floating speed is the maximum traveling wind speed at which the wiper device may be operated adhering to the window. In this case, the vertical height H of the upper surface32is maintained constant, and the vertical lateral surface34is also maintained at a constant angle.

Table 4 shows the floating speed of the wiper device according to the change in the horizontal width W of the upper surface32, andFIG. 7is a graph illustrating the results of the floating test of the wiper device according to the change in the horizontal width W of the upper surface32.

As shown in Table 4 andFIG. 7, initially, as the horizontal width W of the upper surface32increases, the floating speed tends to increase. That is, initially, the increase in the horizontal width W and the lift performance tend to be proportional. However, when the horizontal width W exceeds a certain value, the floating speed tends to decrease as the horizontal width W increases. That is, when the horizontal width W exceeds a certain value, the increase in the horizontal width W and the lift performance tend to be inversely proportional. In summary, it may be confirmed that the horizontal width W of the upper surface32tends to increase until it reaches a certain value and then decrease. In particular, through this experiment, when the horizontal width W of the upper surface32is set to 16 to 17 mm, it may be confirmed that the wiper device has an effect of preventing the floating even for the high-speed traveling wind of 140 Km/h or more.

Table 5 shows the results of the floating test of the wiper device according to the change in the vertical height H on the upper surface32. Here, the floating speed is the maximum traveling wind speed at which the wiper device may be operated adhering to the window. In this case, the horizontal width W of the upper surface32is maintained constant, and the vertical side surface34is also maintained at a constant angle.

Table 5 shows the floating speed of the wiper device according to the change in the vertical height H of the upper surface32, andFIG. 8is a graph illustrating the results of the floating test of the wiper device according to the change in the vertical height H of the upper surface32.

As shown in Table 5 andFIG. 8, initially, as the vertical height H of the upper surface32increases, the floating speed tends to increase. That is, initially, the increase in the vertical height H and the lift performance tend to be proportional. However, when the vertical height H exceeds a certain value, as the vertical height H increases, the floating speed tends to decrease. That is, when the vertical height H exceeds a certain value, the increase in the vertical height H and the lift performance tend to be inversely proportional. In summary, it may be confirmed that the vertical height H of the upper surface32tends to increase until it reaches a certain value and then decrease. In particular, through this experiment, when the vertical height H of the upper surface32is set to 8 to 9.5 mm, it may be confirmed that the wiper device has an effect of preventing the floating even for the high-speed traveling wind of 140 Km/h or more.

Therefore, in order to prevent the floating of the wiper device for the high-speed traveling wind of 140 Km/h or more, the horizontal width W of the upper surface32may be 16 to 17 mm, and the height H thereof may be 8 to 9.5 mm. In summary, the ratio (H/W) of the vertical height H to the horizontal width W on the upper surface32for preventing the floatation of the wiper device for the high-speed traveling wind may be about 0.47 to 0.59.

Meanwhile, the present embodiment has exemplified that the first inclined surface32ais formed as a flat surface, but is not limited thereto, and the first inclined surface may be formed as a curved surface. In particular, it is preferable that the first inclined surface receiving the traveling wind has a curved structure having a cross section protruding upward to enhance the anti-floating function.

A wiper device according to the present disclosure has a spoiler structure in which a two-step inclined surface of a first inclined surface of an acute angle and a second inclined surface of an obtuse angle is formed in a direction in which a traveling wind is received, and a vertical plane is formed in an opposite direction to the direction, and thus, may be operated by adhering to a window even in a high-speed traveling wind.

Although a certain embodiment of the present disclosure has been described hereinabove, it may be understood by those skilled in the art that the present disclosure may be variously modified and altered without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure described in the following claims.

Many embodiments other than that described above fall within the scope of the claims of the present disclosure.