Wiper blade

injection positions (A2, B2, and C2) toward which washer liquids (W) are injected from the forward-side injection nozzles (A1, B1, and C1) and injection positions (D2 and E2) which washer liquids (W) are injected from the backward-side injection nozzles (D1 and E1) are alternatively shifted in the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber. Therefore, in wiping-out motion of the blade rubber for one reciprocation, the front glass (12) can uniformly get wet, the total number of injection nozzles can be made less than ever, the consumption amount of washer liquid (W) at the time of reciprocating wiping-out motion of the blade rubber can be reduced, power consumption of the washer pump can be reduced, and the size of the washer pump can be decreased.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Applicant hereby claims foreign priority benefits under U.S.C. § 119 from International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/JP2014/083621 filed on Dec. 18, 2014; Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-015321 filed on Jan. 30, 2014; Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-015322 filed Jan. 30, 2014; and Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-015323 filed on Jan. 30, 2014; the contents of all of which are incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a wiper blade attached to a wiper arm provided to a vehicle to make a reciprocating wiping-out motion on a windshield.

BACKGROUND ART

A wiper apparatus for ensuring a field of view from a driver and the like through a windshield is mounted on a vehicle such as automotive vehicle. The wiper apparatus includes: a wiper arm driven and swung by an electric motor; and a wiper blade attached to the wiper arm. The wiper blade includes: a holder member attached to a tip portion of the wiper arm; and a blade rubber held by the holder member. When a wiper switch provided inside the vehicle is turned ON, the wiper arm is driven and swung, thereby causing the blade rubber to make reciprocating motion on a windshield, and to wipe off rain water and the like on the windshield.

For example, when extraneous matters such as dust are on the windshield, the wiper blade is caused to make the reciprocating wiping-out motion while washer liquid is injected to the windshield. With this construction, extraneous matters such as dust can get moist and the front surface of the windshield can be cleanly wiped without being damaged. Normally, the washer liquid is injected from a nozzle installed to a hood (bonnet) of the vehicle or the like on the windshield. In this case, there are disadvantages as follows. That is, the injection position of the washer liquid may intercept a field of view from a driver and the like through a windshield. Since the distance between the nozzle and the windshield is relatively long, the injection position of the washer liquid may be deviated by traveling wind or the like. Since a relatively large amount of washer liquid is used in a flow passage, a washer tank may be frequently refilled with washer liquid.

In order to solve the above-described disadvantages, for example, a wiper blade described in Re-publication of PCT International Publication No. JP2011-502876 has been developed. The wiper blade described in Re-publication of PCT International Publication No. JP2011-502876 includes a flow passage (long passage) through which washer liquid passes, and which extends in a longitudinal direction of the wiper blade. The washer liquid is injected from apertures formed in the flow passage toward the windshield, thereby wetting an area close to the blade rubber. Note that washer liquid flowing through the flow passage is supplied from a center coupling portion attached to the wiper blade.

SUMMARY

However, according to the wiper blade described in the above patent document, the flow passage including the plurality of apertures is provided similarly to each of a forward side and a backward side of the wiper blade over the entire region in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade. Therefore, on the forward side and the backward side of the wiper blade, approximately the same amount of washer liquid is injected, and therefore the amount of the washer liquid yet tends to be excessive. Thus, due to a large amount of injected washer liquid, it is difficult to apply a small-sized washer pump with reduced power consumption.

An object of the present invention is to provide a wiper blade capable of uniformly wetting a windshield while decreasing the amount of washer liquid to be injected to reduce power consumption.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wiper blade attached to a wiper arm provided to a vehicle to make reciprocating wiping-out motion over a windshield, the wiper blade comprising: a blade rubber provided to the wiper blade and in contact with the windshield; and a washer apparatus provided to a coupling unit between the wiper arm and the wiper blade to inject washer liquid, wherein the washer apparatus has a plurality of forward-side injection nozzles oriented to a forward side of the blade rubber and a plurality of backward-side injection nozzles oriented to a backward side of the blade rubber, injection positions toward which washer liquids are injected from the forward-side injection nozzles and injection positions toward which washer liquids are injected from the backward-side injection nozzles are shifted in a longitudinal direction of the blade rubber and alternatively arranged in the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber, the injection positions toward which washer liquids are injected from the forward-side injection nozzles are close to one end of the blade rubber in the longitudinal direction and close to the other end of the blade rubber in the longitudinal direction as compared with the injection positions toward which washer liquids are injected from the backward-side injection nozzles.

In another aspect of the present invention, among the forward-side injection nozzles and the backward-side injection nozzles, nozzles disposed on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber are respectively oriented to one side and another side in the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber.

In another aspect of the present invention, the number of forward-side injection nozzles is larger than the number of backward-side injection nozzles.

In another aspect of the present invention, a forward-side injection nozzle closest to one side in the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber among the forward-side injection nozzles is disposed closer to said one side in the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber as compared with a backward-side injection nozzle closest to said one side in the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber among the backward-side injection nozzles, and a forward-side injection nozzle closest to another side in the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber among the forward-side injection nozzles is disposed closer to the other side in the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber than a backward-side injection nozzle closest to the other side in the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber among the backward-side injection nozzles.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wiper blade attached to a wiper arm provided to a vehicle to make reciprocating wiping-out motion over a windshield, the wiper blade comprising: a blade rubber in contact with the windshield; a holder member which holds the blade rubber and has elasticity; a vertebra provided inside the holder member, and adapted to bring the blade rubber into intimate contact with the windshield, a coupling member fixed to the vertebra, the coupling member having stiffness higher than stiffness of the holder member and coupled to the wiper arm; an attachment hole opening in a direction crossing a longitudinal direction of the blade rubber; and a washer apparatus having a fixing claw to be inserted and fixed to the attachment hole, the washer apparatus to be fixed to the coupling member.

In another aspect of the present invention, the fixing claw includes: a positioning claw for positioning the washer apparatus with respect to the coupling member; and a retaining claw for preventing the washer apparatus from coming off from the coupling member.

In another aspect of the present invention, a cover member is provided between the coupling member and the washer apparatus so as to cover the coupling member.

In another aspect of the present invention, the washer apparatus is provided in a range of a projected area of the cover member in a planar view from a direction crossing the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wiper blade attached to a wiper arm provided to a vehicle to make reciprocating wiping-out motion over a windshield, the wiper blade comprising: a blade rubber including a contact unit in contact with the windshield; a holder member which holds the blade rubber; a vertebra provided inside the holder member, and adapted to bring the blade rubber into intimate contact with the windshield; a coupling member provided to the vertebra, and coupled to the wiper arm; and a washer apparatus fixed to the coupling member, and shorter in length than the holder member in the longitudinal direction the holder member, wherein the washer apparatus is at a position away from the windshield from a boundary part between the holder member and the blade rubber in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the blade rubber.

In another aspect of the present invention,11, in the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber, the washer apparatus is disposed outside a region between a first reference line passing through the contact unit and in parallel with a front surface of the windshield and a second reference line passing through the contact unit and in contact with the holder member.

In another aspect of the present invention, a cover member is provided to the coupling unit so as to cover the coupling unit, and the washer apparatus is provided in a range of a projected area of the cover member in a planar view from a direction crossing the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber.

In another aspect of the present invention, the washer apparatus has a lower surface provided on the same side as the blade rubber, the lower surface extending substantially parallel with the windshield and having: an injection nozzle which injects washer liquid; and a tilted surface tilted upward from the lower surface as heading toward a side away from the blade rubber.

According to the present invention, since the injection position of the washer liquid injected from the forward-side injection nozzle and the injection position of the washer liquid injected from the backward-side injection nozzle are shifted in the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber, the injection positions on the windshield are made different between the forward side and the backward side of the blade rubber and, in turn, the windshield can uniformly get wet in wiping-out motion of the blade rubber for one reciprocation. Therefore, the total number of injection nozzles can be made less than ever and, in turn, the consumption amount of the washer liquid at the time of reciprocating wiping-out motion of the blade rubber can be reduced. Thus, power consumption of the washer pump can be reduced, and the size of the washer pump can be decreased

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1is a perspective view showing an entire wiper blade of a first embodiment,FIG. 2is an enlarged perspective view of the periphery of a coupling member of the wiper blade ofFIG. 1, viewed from a front side,FIG. 3is an enlarged perspective view of the periphery of the coupling member of the wiper blade ofFIG. 1, viewed from a rear side,FIG. 4is a sectional view along an a-a line ofFIG. 3,FIG. 5is a sectional view along a b-b line ofFIG. 3,FIG. 6is a diagram for describing injection positions (A2to C2) of washer liquid in forward-side wiping-out motion,FIG. 7is a diagram for describing injection positions (D2and E2) of washer liquid in backward-side wiping-out motion, andFIG. 8is a diagram for describing injection positions (A2to E2) of washer liquid.

As shown inFIG. 1, a wiper blade10is rotatably attached to a tip portion of a wiper arm11provided on a front side (not shown) of a vehicle such as automotive vehicle. With ON operation on a wiper switch (not shown) provided inside a cabin, the wiper arm11is driven for swinging with rotational driving of a wiper motor (not shown). This causes the wiper blade10to make reciprocating wiping-out motion in a predetermined wiping range “AR” formed on a front glass (windshield)12toward a forward side and a backward side as indicated by arrows in the drawing.

As shown inFIGS. 1 to 5, the wiper blade10includes: a blade rubber20in contact with the front glass12; a holder member30which holds the blade rubber20; a coupling member40provided to an intermediate portion of the holder member30in a longitudinal direction; and a washer apparatus50provided to the coupling member40. Here, paired end caps “CP” are attached to both end portions of the holder member30in the longitudinal direction, thereby preventing the blade rubber20held by the holder member30from falling out.

As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, the blade rubber20includes: a main body portion21held by the holder member30; a lip portion22in contact with the front glass12; and a neck portion23which couples the main body portion21and the lip portion22to each other. Note that the blade rubber20is formed so as to be long by extrusion molding of an elastic material such as rubber and has a sectional shape that is uniform over an entire region in the longitudinal direction.

The neck portion23has a thickness in a motion direction (lateral direction in the drawing) of the blade rubber20set to be thinner than that of the main body portion21and the lip portion22, and therefore easily elastically deformable. Thus, when the wiper blade10moves to the forward side and the backward side on the front glass12, the lip portion22is allowed to be tilted, and in turn, the tip portion of the lip portion22can smoothly follow in a moving direction of the wiper blade10. Therefore, extraneous matter (not shown) such as rain water and dirt on the front glass12can be reliably wiped out.

As shown inFIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the holder member30includes: a holder main body31and a fin portion32. The holder main body31and the fin portion32are integrated by two-color molding of materials different in hardness from each other, and they are long, and similarly in length to the blade rubber20.

The holder main body31is formed of resin material such as flexible plastic, and can follow a curved surface (not shown) of the front glass12while having a strength sufficient to hold the main body portion21of the blade rubber20. On the other hand, the fin portion32is formed of elastic material such as rubber, and lower in hardness than the holder main body31. With traveling wind hitting the fin portion32, a downforce is applied to the wiper blade10, thereby favorably holding the wiping-out performance of the blade rubber20.

As shown inFIG. 4, paired vertebrae33are provided inside the holder main body31and spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance. The vertebrae33are each formed of steel plate with spring properties, and are disposed so as to interpose the main body portion21of the blade rubber20from the forward side and the backward side to have a mirror image relation. In a natural state in which no external force is applied, each vertebra33is curved with a curvature larger than the curvature of the front glass12, and causes the holder member30and the blade rubber20to be elastically deformed in accordance the curvature of the front glass12. With this construction, the entire region of the lip portion22in the longitudinal direction is brought into intimate contact with the front glass12.

As shown inFIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 5, the coupling member40is provided to an intermediate portion of the holder member30in the longitudinal direction. The coupling member40includes: a coupling main body41; a base plate42; and a cover member43. The coupling main body41has a section formed in a substantially U-shape by press working and the like of a steel plate, and is swaged and fixed to each vertebra33by integrally-provided fixing leg portions (not shown).

To the coupling main body41, a columnar pin44made of a steel plate is swaged and fixed. To this columnar pin44, a hook attachment member45formed of resin material such as plastic is rotatably attached. Here, to the hook attachment member45, a U-shaped hook (not shown) formed at the tip portion of the wiper arm11is coupled with a single touch. That is, the wiper arm11is coupled to the coupling member40.

The base plate42is formed of resin material such as plastic into a plate shape. This base plate42is attached to each vertebra33by integrally-provided fixing leg portions42a. Here, the coupling main body41is disposed on the same side as a fin portion32(front side) of the holder member30, and the base plate42is disposed on the same side as a holder main body31(rear side) of the holder member30.

The cover member43is formed of resin material such as plastic into a substantially box shape, and attached to the outside of the coupling main body41by a plurality of integrally-provided engaging claws (not shown). This cover member43covers side surface portions of the coupling main body41and so forth, thereby enhancing the appearance of the wiper blade10.

As shown inFIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5, the washer apparatus50is provided to the intermediate portion of the holder member30in the longitudinal direction. The washer apparatus50is provided in the vicinity of a coupling portion CN between the wiper arm11and the wiper blade10(seeFIGS. 2 and 3). More specifically, the washer apparatus50is attached via an engaging claw and the like (not shown) to the coupling member40, forming the coupling portion CN, without rattling.

The washer apparatus50includes: a forward-side washer mechanism51a; and a backward-side washer mechanism51bso that the blade rubber20is sandwiched between them. The washer mechanisms51aand51bare fixed to the coupling member40, and symmetrically disposed with respect to the blade rubber20.

Here, the washer apparatus50has a length in the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber20, which is set to be slightly shorter than that of the coupling member40in the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber20.

The forward-side washer mechanism51aand the backward-side washer mechanism51brespectively include a forward-side channel block52and a backward-side channel block53, which are different in shape from each other. Each of the forward-side channel block52and the backward-side channel block53is formed of resin material such as plastic, and formed into a stepped box shape.

The forward-side channel block52is provided on a forward side of the blade rubber20, and includes an inner-peripheral-side wall52a, an outer-peripheral-side wall52b, a rear-side wall52c, a front-side wall52d, and a forward-side wall52e. Here, the inner-peripheral-side wall52aand the outer-peripheral-side wall52bare disposed to face each other, and the rear-side wall52cand the front-side wall52dare disposed to face each other. Of these walls, the front-side wall52dis formed stepwise as shown inFIG. 2.

The rear-side wall52cfacing the front glass12is provided with a plurality of forward-side injection nozzles A1, B1, and C1as shown inFIG. 3. In the first embodiment, three forward-side injection nozzles A1, B1, and C1are provided. These forward-side injection nozzles A1, B1, and C1are disposed so as to align substantially equidistantly along the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber20. Each of the forward-side injection nozzles A1, B1, and C1is formed in a substantially spherical shape as shown inFIG. 5so as to adjust an injecting direction of washer liquid “W” (seeFIGS. 3 and 6).

Each of the forward-side injection nozzles A1, B1, and C1is oriented to a forward side of the blade rubber20. More specifically, as shown inFIG. 3, the forward-side injection nozzle A1on an outer peripheral side of the rear-side wall52cis oriented to the forward side and the outer peripheral side of the blade rubber20. With this, at the time of forward-side wiping-out motion of the wiper blade10, the forward-side injection nozzle A1injects the washer liquid “W” to an injection position A2ofFIG. 6. That is, the forward-side injection nozzle A1is provided at a position for wetting an outer peripheral side end on one side (outer peripheral side) in the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber20.

Also, the forward-side injection nozzle B1at an intermediate portion of the rear-side wall52cin the longitudinal direction is oriented to the forward side of the blade rubber20and a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber20. With this, at the time of forward-side wiping-out motion of the wiper blade10, the forward-side injection nozzle B1injects the washer liquid “W” to an injection position B2ofFIG. 6.

Furthermore, the forward-side injection nozzle C1on an inner peripheral side of the rear-side wall52cis oriented to the forward side and the inner peripheral side of the blade rubber20. With this, at the time of forward-side wiping-out motion of the wiper blade10, the forward-side injection nozzle C1injects the washer liquid “W” to an injection position C2ofFIG. 6. That is, the forward-side injection nozzle C1is provided to a position for wetting an inner peripheral side end on the other side (inner peripheral side) in the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber20.

Here, each of the injection positions A2to C2ofFIG. 6indicates a position to be wetted with the washer liquid “W” with movement of the wiper blade10to the forward side. With movement of the wiper blade10to the forward side, an injection area in a substantially arc shape is formed.

In this manner, of the three forward-side injection nozzles A1, B1, and C1, the forward-side injection nozzles A1and C1on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber20are oriented to the one side (outer peripheral side) in the longitudinal direction and the other side (inner peripheral side) in the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber20, respectively. Therefore, as shown inFIG. 6, a relatively wide area inside a wiping-out area “AR” is wetted with the washer liquid “W”. If a diffusion-type nozzle which injects the washer liquid “W” in a mist manner is used, it is possible to wet a wider area inside the wiping-out area “AR”.

Also, by adjusting the orientations of the three forward-side injection nozzles A1, B1, and C1, a relatively wide area inside the wiping-out area “AR” gets wet. Thus, the length dimension of the forward-side washer mechanism51aalong the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber20can be shortened. Therefore, the channel through which the washer liquid “W” passes before injected can be made shorter than ever. Thus, power consumption of the washer pump (not shown) can be reduced while the washer liquid “W” is inhibited from being frozen.

The backward-side channel block53is provided on a backward side of the blade rubber20, and includes an inner-peripheral-side wall53a, an outer-peripheral-side wall53b, a rear-side wall53c, a front-side wall53d, and a backward-side wall53e. Here, the inner-peripheral-side wall53aand the outer-peripheral-side wall53bare disposed to face each other, and the rear-side wall53cand the front-side wall53dare disposed to face each other. Of these walls, the front-side wall53dis formed stepwise as shown inFIG. 2.

The rear-side wall53cfacing the front glass12is provided with a plurality of backward-side injection nozzles D1and E1as shown inFIG. 3. In the first embodiment, two backward-side injection nozzles D1and E1are provided. These backward-side injection nozzles D1and E1are disposed so as to align along the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber20at a distance substantially equal to that of the forward-side injection nozzles A1, B1, and C1.

Here, one backward-side injection nozzle D1is disposed between the forward-side injection nozzles A1and B1along the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber20, and the other backward-side nozzle E1is disposed between the forward-side injection nozzles B1and C1along the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber20. Also, each of the backward-side injection nozzles D1and E1is formed in a substantially spherical shape similar to that of each of the forward-side injection nozzles A1, B1and C1so as to adjust an injecting direction of washer liquid “W” (seeFIGS. 3 and 7).

Each of the backward-side injection nozzles D1and E1is oriented to a backward side of the blade rubber20. More specifically, as shown inFIG. 3, the backward-side injection nozzle D1on an outer peripheral side of the rear-side wall52cis oriented to the backward side and the outer peripheral side of the blade rubber20. With this, at the time of backward-side wiping-out motion of the wiper blade10, the backward-side injection nozzle D1injects the washer liquid “W” to an injection position D2ofFIG. 7.

On the other hand, the backward-side injection nozzle E1on an inner peripheral side of the rear-side wall52cis oriented to the backward side and the inner peripheral side of the blade rubber20. With this, at the time of backward-side wiping-out motion of the wiper blade10, the backward-side injection nozzle E1injects the washer liquid “W” to an injection position E2ofFIG. 7.

Here, each of the injection positions D2and E2ofFIG. 7indicates a position to be wetted with the washer liquid “W” with movement of the wiper blade10to the backward side. With movement of the wiper blade10to the backward side, an injection area in a substantially arc shape is formed.

In this manner, the backward-side injection nozzles D1and E1are oriented to the one side (outer peripheral side) in the longitudinal direction and the other side (inner peripheral side) in the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber20, respectively. Therefore, as shown inFIG. 8, an area between the injection positions A2and B2and an area between the injection positions B2and C2inside the wiping-out area “AR” can be wetted with the washer liquid “W”.

That is, the injection positions A2, B2, and C2of the washer liquid “W” injected from the forward-side injection nozzles A1, B1, and C1and the injection positions D2and E2of the washer liquid “W” from the backward-side injection nozzles D1and E1are shifted in the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber20. With this, the injection positions are alternately aligned in a manner such as A2, D2, B2, E2, and C2, and the injection positions A2to E2on the front glass12are alternately arranged as shown inFIG. 8on the forward side and the backward side of the blade rubber20.

Therefore, at the time of forward-side wiping-out motion of the wiper blade10, as shown inFIG. 6, an area not wetted with the washer liquid “W” is formed between the injection positions A2and B2and between the injection positions B2and C2. On the other hand, at the tie of backward-side wiping-out motion of the wiper blade10, as shown inFIG. 7, only the injection positions D2and E2are wetted with the washer liquid “W”, which are narrower areas compared with those at the time of forward-side wiping-out motion. With this, in both of forward-side and backward-side wiping-out motions of the wiper blade10, visibility of the driver via the windshield can be favorably kept.

Here, the forward-side injection nozzle A1on the outermost peripheral side of the blade rubber20among the plurality of (three) forward-side injection nozzles A1, B1, and C1is arranged on a further outer peripheral side of the blade rubber20than the backward-side injection nozzle D1on the outermost peripheral side of the blade rubber20among the plurality of (two) backward-side injection nozzles D1and E1. Also, the forward-side injection nozzle C1on the innermost peripheral side of the blade rubber20among the plurality of (three) forward-side injection nozzles A1, B1, and C1is arranged on a further inner peripheral side of the blade rubber20than the backward-side injection nozzle E1on the innermost peripheral side of the blade rubber20among the plurality of (two) backward-side injection nozzles D1and E1.

With this, at the time of forward-side wiping-out motion less prone to receive influences such as travelling wind of the vehicle or the like with the wiper blade10serving as a wall, both end portions of the blade rubber20are effectively wetted by the forward-side injection nozzles A1and C1. On the other hand, at the time of backward-side wiping-out motion prone to receive influences such as travelling wind of the vehicle, portions near the backward-side injection nozzles D1and E1are wetted as much as possible. Therefore, while the injection amount of the washer liquid “W” is minimized as required, discharge pressure of the washer pump can be decreased and, in turn, the washer pump can be simplified (cost-cutting can be achieved).

By adopting diffusion-type nozzles also as the backward-side injection nozzles D1and E1, a wider area inside the wiping-out area “AR” can get wet.

Here, by adjusting the orientations of the two backward-side injection nozzles D1and E1, portions not sufficiently wetted at the time of forward-side wiping-out motion (those between the injection positions A2and B2and between the injection positions B2and C2) are wetted with the washer liquid “W”. Therefore, in wiping-out motion of the blade rubber20for one reciprocation, the front glass12can uniformly get wet.

Furthermore, as with the forward-side washer mechanism51a, the length dimension of the backward-side washer mechanism51balong the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber20can be shortened. Therefore, the channel through which the washer liquid “W” passes before injected can be made shorter than ever. Thus, power consumption of the washer pump (not shown) can be reduced while the washer liquid “W” is inhibited from being frozen.

To the inner-peripheral-side wall52aof the forward-side channel block52and the inner-peripheral-side wall53aof the backward-side channel block53, a forward-side tube insertion unit52fand a backward-side tube insertion unit53fare integrally provided, respectively, as shown inFIG. 2andFIG. 3. To each of the forward-side tube insertion unit52fand the backward-side tube insertion unit53f, one end side of a rubber tube (not shown) is inserted.

Here, to the other end side of the rubber tube, the washer pump installed inside the engine room of the vehicle is connected. Also, the rubber tubes are arranged on the inner peripheral side along the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber20, thereby making the other end side of the rubber tube easily introduced into the engine room.

Then, by operating a washer switch, the washer pump is driven. Then, as two-dot-chain lines with arrows inFIGS. 1 and 2, the washer liquid “W” is supplied via the rubber tubes to the inside of the forward-side channel block52and the backward-side channel block53. Here, by switching driving of the washer pump, the washer liquid “W” is supplied only to the forward-side channel block52at the time of forward-side wiping-out motion of the wiper blade10, and the washer liquid “W” is supplied only to the backward-side channel block53at the time of backward-side wiping-out motion of the wiper blade10.

Next, the motion of thus-formed wiper blade10is described in detail with reference to the drawings.

The forward-side wiping-out motion is motion of the wiper blade10moving upward from a lower reverse position in the wiping-out area “AR” on the front glass12and then moving to an upper reverse position, as shown inFIG. 6.

As indicated by a solid line with an arrow (forward side) ofFIG. 6, when the washer switch is turned ON with the wiper blade10moving to the forward side, the washer liquid “W” is injected from the forward-side injection nozzles A1, B1, and C1(seeFIG. 3). With this, the injection positions A2, B2, and C2shown inFIG. 6are wetted with the washer liquid “W”. Here, between the injection positions A2and B2and between the injection positions B2and C2, a slight amount of washer liquid “W” is supplied by travelling wind of the vehicle or the like. Therefore, the occurrence of a trouble due to dry contact of the wiper blade10with the front glass12(such as damage on the front glass12and uneven wear of the blade rubber20) can be inhibited. In this manner, the front glass12is wetted with the washer liquid “W”, and attachments such as dust on the front glass12can be cleanly wiped out.

The backward-side wiping-out motion is motion of the wiper blade10moving downward from the upper reverse position in the wiping-out area “AR” on the front glass12and then moving to the lower reverse position, as shown inFIG. 7.

As indicated by a solid line with an arrow (backward side) ofFIG. 7, when the washer switch is turned ON with the wiper blade10moving to the backward side, the washer liquid “W” is injected from the backward-side injection nozzles D1and E1. With this, the injection positions D2and E2shown inFIG. 7are wetted with the washer liquid “W”. Here, the injection positions D2and E2are portions between the injection positions A2and B2and between the injection positions B2and C2, respectively, the portions corresponding to those insufficiently wetted at the time of forward-side wiping-out motion. Therefore, as indicated by the injection positions A2to E2ofFIG. 8, in wiping-out motion of the blade rubber20(wiper blade10) for one reciprocation, the front glass12can uniformly get wet. With this, attachments such as dust on the front glass12can be cleanly wiped out.

Here, portions other than the injection positions D2and E2shown inFIG. 7get wet at the time of forward-side wiping-out motion and, furthermore, are supplied with a slight amount of washer liquid “W” by travelling wind of the vehicle or the like. Therefore, even at the time of backward-side wiping-out motion, the occurrence of a trouble due to dry contact of the wiper blade10with the front glass12can be inhibited.

Also, the number of the forward-side injection nozzles A1, B1, and C1(three) is larger than the number of the backward-side injection nozzles D1and E1(two). With this, as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, the amount of washer liquid “W” at the time of forward-side wiping-out motion is larger than the amount of washer liquid “W” at the time of backward-side wiping-out motion. This is because it is desirable to wet the dried surface of the front glass12as widely as possible at the start of operation of the wiper blade10stopping at the lower reverse position.

As described in detail above, according to the wiper blade10of the first embodiment, the injection positions A2, B2, and C2of the washer liquid “W” injected from the forward-side injection nozzles A1, B1, and C1and the injection positions D2and E2of the washer liquid “W” injected from the backward-side injection nozzles D1and E1are alternately aligned as being shifted in the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber20.

Therefore, on the forward side and the backward side of the blade rubber20, the injection positions A2to E2on the front glass12are differently and alternately disposed. Furthermore, in wiping-out motion of the blade rubber20for one reciprocation, the front glass12can uniformly get wet. Thus, the total number of injection nozzles (five in the first embodiment) can be made less than ever and, in turn, the consumption amount of the washer liquid “W” at the time of reciprocating wiping-out motion of the blade rubber20can be reduced. Thus, power consumption of the washer pump can be reduced, and the size of the washer pump can be decreased.

The present invention is not restricted to the above-described first embodiment, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be variously modified in a range not deviating from the gist of the present invention. For example, while the wiper blade10wipes out the front glass12as a windshield in the above-described first embodiment, the present invention is not restricted to this, and the present invention can be applied as wiping out a rear glass as a windshield.

Also, in the above-described first embodiment, three forward-side injection nozzles are provided, two backward-side injection nozzles are provided, and the washer liquid “W” as minimum as required is injected by these five injection nozzles in total. However, the present invention is not restricted to this. In short, one injection nozzle may be provided to each of the forward side and the backward side or six or more injection nozzles in total may be provided to the forward and backward sides as long as the injection position of the washer liquid “W” injected from the forward-side injection nozzle and the injection position of the washer liquid “W” injected from the backward-side injection nozzle can be shifted in the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber20or alternately aligned.

Furthermore, in the above-described first embodiment, the forward-side injection nozzles A1, B1, and C1are provided on the rear-side wall52c, and the backward-side injection nozzles D1and E1are provided on the rear-side wall53c. However, the present invention is not restricted to this. For example, the forward-side injection nozzles A1, B1, and C1may be provided on the forward-side wall52e, and the backward-side injection nozzles D1and E1may be provided on the backward-side wall53e.

Hereinafter, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 9is a perspective view showing an entire wiper blade of a second embodiment,FIG. 10is an enlarged perspective view of the periphery of a coupling member of the wiper blade ofFIG. 9, viewed from a front side,FIG. 11is an enlarged perspective view of the periphery of the coupling member of the wiper blade ofFIG. 9, viewed from a rear side,FIG. 12is an enlarged perspective view for describing a fixing structure of the coupling member and a washer apparatus,FIG. 13is an enlarged view of a broken-line circle a ofFIG. 12,FIG. 14is a diagram viewed from an arrow “b” ofFIG. 10,FIG. 15is a diagram viewed from an arrow “c” ofFIG. 10,FIG. 16is a sectional view along a d-d line ofFIG. 11, andFIG. 17is a sectional view along an e-e line ofFIG. 11.

As shown inFIG. 9, a wiper blade110is rotatably attached to a tip portion of a wiper arm111provided on a front side (not shown) of a vehicle such as automotive vehicle. With ON operation on a wiper switch (not shown) provided inside a cabin, the wiper arm111is driven for swinging with rotational driving of a wiper motor (not shown). This causes the wiper blade110to make reciprocating wiping-out motion in a predetermined wiping range “AR” formed on a front glass (windshield)112toward a forward side and a backward side as indicated by arrows in the drawing.

As shown inFIGS. 9 to 17, the wiper blade110includes: a blade rubber120in contact with the front glass112; a holder member130which holds the blade rubber120; a coupling member140provided to an intermediate portion of the holder member130in a longitudinal direction; and a cover member150covering the coupling member140, and a washer apparatus160fixed to the coupling member140.

Here, paired end caps “CP” are attached to both end portions of the holder member130in the longitudinal direction, thereby preventing the blade rubber120held by the holder member130from falling out.

As shown inFIGS. 16 and 17, the blade rubber120includes: a main body portion121held by the holder member130; a lip portion122in contact with the front glass112; and a neck portion123which couples the main body portion121and the lip portion122to each other. Note that the blade rubber120is formed so as to be long by extrusion molding of an elastic material such as rubber and has a sectional shape that is uniform over an entire region in the longitudinal direction.

The neck portion123has a thickness in a motion direction (lateral direction in the drawing) of the blade rubber120set to be thinner than that of the main body portion121and the lip portion122, and therefore easily elastically deformable. Thus, when the wiper blade110moves to the forward side and the backward side on the front glass112, the lip portion122is allowed to be tilted, and in turn, the tip portion of the lip portion122can smoothly follow in a moving direction of the wiper blade110. Therefore, extraneous matter (not shown) such as rain water and dirt on the front glass112can be reliably wiped out.

As shown inFIGS. 9, 10, and 16, the holder member130includes a holder main body131and a fin portion132. The holder main body131and the fin portion132are integrated by two-color molding of materials different in hardness from each other, and they are long, and similarly in length to the blade rubber120.

The holder main body131is formed of resin material such as flexible plastic, and can follow a curved surface (not shown) of the front glass112while having a strength sufficient to hold the main body portion121of the blade rubber120. On the other hand, the fin portion132is formed of elastic material such as rubber, and lower in hardness than the holder main body131. That is, the holder member130including a holder main body131and a fin portion132has an elastic characteristic. With traveling wind hitting the fin portion132, a downforce is applied to the wiper blade110, thereby favorably holding the wiping-out performance of the blade rubber120.

As shown inFIG. 16, paired vertebrae133are provided inside the holder main body131and spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance. The vertebrae133are each formed of steel plate with spring properties, and are disposed so as to interpose the main body portion121of the blade rubber120from the forward side and the backward side to have a mirror image relation. In a natural state in which no external force is applied, each vertebra133is curved with a curvature larger than the curvature of the front glass112, and causes the holder member130and the blade rubber120to be elastically deformed in accordance the curvature of the front glass112. With this construction, the entire region of the lip portion122in the longitudinal direction is brought into intimate contact with the front glass112.

As shown inFIGS. 9 to 13andFIG. 17, the coupling member140is provided to an intermediate portion of the holder member130in the longitudinal direction. This coupling member140is composed of a coupling main body141, a columnar pin142, a hook attachment member143, and a base plate144, which have stiffness higher than that of the holder member130.

The coupling main body141has a section formed in a substantially “U” shape by pressing working of a steel plate. The coupling main body141includes a bottom wall unit141a, and a forward-side wall unit141band a backward-side wall unit141ceach integrally provided to the bottom wall unit141aand disposed to face each other. To the bottom wall unit141a, a plurality of fixing leg units141d(only one is shown inFIG. 12) are integrally provided. With these fixing leg units141dswaged and fixed to each vertebra133, the coupling main body141is strongly fixed to each vertebra133. Here, the coupling main body141includes a function of holding the respective vertebrae133with predetermined spacing.

Between the forward-side wall unit141band the backward-side wall unit141c, the columnar pin142made of steel material is swaged and fixed. To the columnar pin142, the hook attachment member143formed of resin material such as plastic into a predetermined shape is rotatably attached. Here, to the hook attachment member143, a U-shaped hook (not shown) formed at the tip portion of the wiper arm111is coupled with a single touch. That is, the wiper arm111is coupled to the coupling member140.

The forward-side wall unit141band the backward-side wall unit141care provided with a forward-side attachment hole141eand a backward-side attachment hole141f, respectively, as attachment holes that are open in a direction crossing (orthogonal to) the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber120. As shown inFIGS. 12 and 13, the forward-side attachment hole141eand the backward-side attachment hole141fare each formed in a substantially rectangular shape, and face each other from the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber120. To the forward-side attachment hole141eand the backward-side attachment hole141f, positioning claws162gand163gand retaining claws162hand163hof the forward-side channel block162and the backward-side channel block163, respectively, are inserted and fixed.

The base plate144is formed of resin material such as plastic in a plate shape as shown inFIG. 17. To this base plate144, a plurality of fixing leg units144aare integrally provided. Each fixing leg unit144aof the base plate144is attached to each vertebra133. With this, the base plate144is fixed to each vertebra133. Here, the coupling main body141is disposed on the same side as a fin unit132(front side) of the holder member130, and the base plate is disposed on the same side as a holder main body131(rear side) of the holder member130.

As shown inFIGS. 10, 14, and 15, the cover member150is formed of resin material such as plastic in a substantially box shape, and attached to the coupling main body141by a plurality of integrally-provided engaging claws (not shown). This cover member150is provided between the coupling member140and the washer apparatus160with respect to the direction crossing the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber120to cover the periphery of the coupling main body141forming the coupling member140and fill a gap between the coupling member140and the washer apparatus160, thereby enhancing the appearance of the wiper blade110.

The cover member150includes a forward-side cover unit151and a backward-side cover unit152. The forward-side cover unit151and the backward-side cover unit152are integrated on an imaginary line “L” shown inFIG. 10as a boundary. The forward-side cover unit151is provided and interposed between the forward-side wall unit141band the forward-side channel block162(seeFIG. 13), and the backward-side cover unit152is provided and interposed between the backward-side wall unit141cand the backward-side channel block163(seeFIG. 13).

The forward-side cover unit151includes a forward-side covering unit151awhich covers the outer surface of the forward-side wall unit141band a fin-shaped unit151bextended from the forward-side covering unit151ato the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber120and formed in a shape similar to that of the fin unit132of the holder member130.

Also, the backward-side cover unit152includes a backward-side covering unit152awhich covers the outer surface of the backward-side wall unit141cand a holder-main-body-shaped unit152bextended from the backward-side covering unit152ato the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber120and formed in a shape similar to that of the holder main body unit131of the holder member130.

In this manner, by forming the shape of the cover member150similar to the shape of the holder member130, aerodynamic resistance of a portion where the cover member150is provided and aerodynamic resistance of a portion where the cover member150is not provided have a substantially same value. With this, wiping-out performance of the blade rubber120is made favorable while the appearance of the wiper blade110is enhanced.

As shown inFIGS. 9 to 15 and 17, the washer apparatus160is provided to an intermediate portion of the holder member130in the longitudinal direction. Here, inFIGS. 12 to 15, the washer apparatus160is shaded for ease of understanding of the structure of the washer apparatus160.

The washer apparatus160includes a forward-side washer mechanism161aand a backward-side washer mechanism161bso as to interpose the coupling main body141. The forward-side washer mechanism161aand the backward-side washer mechanism161bare each fixed to the coupling main body141, and are disposed to face each other so as to have a mirror image relation centering at the blade rubber120.

As shown inFIGS. 14 and 15, the washer mechanisms161aand161bforming the washer apparatus160are provided in ranges of projected areas of the forward-side cover unit151and the backward-side cover unit152in the cover member150in a plan view from the direction crossing the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber120, that is, broken lines (1) and (2) shown inFIGS. 14 and 15, respectively.

In this manner, by providing the washer apparatus160in the range of the projected area of the cover member150, disturbance in travelling wind (not shown) flowing from the backward side of the wiper blade, for example, the front side of the vehicle, is inhibited to prevent a decrease in wiping-out performance of the blade rubber120.

The forward-side washer mechanism161aand the backward-side washer mechanism161brespectively include a forward-side channel block162and a backward-side channel block163, which are different in shape from each other. Each of the forward-side channel block162and the backward-side channel block163is formed of resin material such as plastic, and formed into a stepped box shape.

Here, the forward-side channel block162has a length dimension along the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber120longer than that of the backward-side channel block163. This is because the projected area of the forward-side cover unit151(see the broken line (1) ofFIG. 14) is larger than the projected area of the backward-side cover unit152(see the broken line (2) ofFIG. 15).

The forward-side channel block162is provided on a forward side of the blade rubber120, and includes an inner-peripheral-side wall162a, an outer-peripheral-side wall162b, a rear-side wall162c, a front-side wall162d, a forward-side wall162e, and a coupling-main-body-side wall162f. Here, the inner-peripheral-side wall162aand the outer-peripheral-side wall162bare disposed to face each other, the rear-side wall162cand the front-side wall162dare disposed to face each other, and the forward-side wall162e, and the coupling-main-body-side wall162fare disposed to face each other. Of these walls, the front-side wall162dis formed into a three-step shape as shown inFIG. 10.

To the coupling-main-body-side wall162fof the forward-side channel block162, the positioning claw162gand the retaining claw162hare integrally provided so as to protrude toward a coupling main body141. The positioning claw162gand retaining claw162hform a fixing claw in the present invention, and both are fixed to the forward-side wall unit141bby being inserted into the forward-side attachment hole141eto be hooked on the forward-side wall unit141b. In addition, although the positioning claw162gand the retaining claw162hare not shown in detail, they are formed in shapes similar to those of the positioning claw163gand the retaining claw163hof the backward-side channel block163, respectively, which will be described further below.

The backward-side channel block163is provided on a backward side of the blade rubber120, and includes an inner-peripheral-side wall163a, an outer-peripheral-side wall163b, a rear-side wall163c, a front-side wall163d, a backward-side wall163e, and a coupling-main-body-side wall163f. Here, the inner-peripheral-side wall163aand the outer-peripheral-side wall163bare disposed to face each other, the rear-side wall163cand the front-side wall163dare disposed to face each other, and the backward-side wall163eand the coupling-main-body-side wall163fare disposed to face each other. Of these walls, the front-side wall163dis formed stepwise with two steps as shown inFIG. 10.

To the coupling-main-body-side wall163fof the backward-side channel block163, the positioning claw163gand the retaining claw163hare integrally provided so as to protrude toward a coupling main body141. These positioning claw163gand retaining claw163hform a fixing claw in the present invention, and both are fixed to the backward-side wall unit141cby being inserted into the backward-side attachment hole141fto be hooked on the backward-side wall unit141c.

To fix the forward-side channel block162and the backward-side channel block163to the coupling main body141, as shown inFIG. 13, the positioning claws162gand163gare first diagonally inserted into the forward-side attachment hole141eand the backward-side attachment hole141f, respectively, to be hooked. With this, the forward-side channel block162and the backward-side channel block163are positioned with respect to the forward-side wall unit141band the backward-side wall unit141c, respectively. That is, the positioning claws162gand163gposition the coupling member140of the washer apparatus160.

Then, the retaining claws162hand163hare inserted into the forward-side attachment hole141eand the backward-side attachment hole141f, respectively, from the direction crossing the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber120to be hooked. With this, the forward-side channel block162and the backward-side channel block163are retained with respect to the forward-side wall unit141band the backward-side wall unit141c, respectively, thereby completing fixation of the forward-side channel block162and the backward-side channel block163to the coupling main body141. That is, the retaining claws162hand163hprevent the washer apparatus160from being detached from the coupling member140.

In this manner, without using fixing means such as adhesive, strong fixation with a single touch can be achieved by the attachment holes141eand141f, the positioning claws162gand163g, and the retaining claws162hand163h. With this, an improvement in productivity and a reduction in manufacturing cost can be achieved.

Here, inFIGS. 12 and 13, the hook attachment member143and the cover member150(seeFIG. 10) are omitted for ease of understanding the fixing structure of the forward-side channel block162and the backward-side channel block163to the coupling main body141.

In addition, note that the forward-side channel block162and the backward-side channel block163are each fixed to the coupling main body141after the cover member150is attached to the coupling main body141. That is, the washer apparatus160is fixed to the coupling member140via the cover member150. In this manner, the cover member150is strongly fixed to the coupling member140together with the washer apparatus160without rattling. Therefore, the cover member150, which hides the coupling member140and enhances the appearance, is strongly fixed to the coupling member140together with the washer apparatus160, thereby achieving both of an improvement in assembling process of the wiper blade110and construction of the components forming the wiper blade110without rattling.

The rear-side wall162cof the forward-side channel block162is provided with a plurality of forward-side injection nozzles A, B, and C facing the front glass112as shown inFIG. 11. In the second embodiment, three forward-side injection nozzles A, B, and C are provided. These forward-side injection nozzles A, B, and C are disposed so as to be aligned substantially equidistantly along the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber120. Each of the forward-side injection nozzles A, B, and C is formed in a substantially spherical shape as shown inFIG. 17so as to adjust an injecting direction of washer liquid “W” (seeFIG. 11).

Each of the forward-side injection nozzles A, B, and C is oriented to a forward side of the blade rubber120. More specifically, as shown inFIG. 11, the forward-side injection nozzle A on an outer peripheral side of the rear-side wall162cis oriented to the forward side and the outer peripheral side of the blade rubber120. In addition, the forward-side injection nozzle B at an intermediate portion of the rear-side wall162cin the longitudinal direction is oriented to the forward side of the blade rubber120and a direction (horizontal direction) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber120. Furthermore, the forward-side injection nozzle C on an inner peripheral side of the rear-side wall162cis oriented to the forward side and the inner peripheral side of the blade rubber120.

In this manner, by orienting the forward-side injection nozzles A, B, and C to three directions, that is, an outer peripheral side, just beside, and an inner peripheral side, respectively, on the forward side of the blade rubber120, a nearby portion on the forward side of the blade rubber120can substantially uniformly get wet. Here, if diffusion-type nozzles which inject the washer liquid “W” in a mist manner are used, it is possible to wet a wider area inside the wiping-out area “AR” (seeFIG. 9).

Also, by the forward-side injection nozzles A, B, and C, a wide area inside the wiping-out area “AR” is wetted with the washer liquid “W”, and the length dimension of the forward-side washer mechanism161aalong the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber120is shortened. Therefore, the channel through which the washer liquid “W” passes before injected can be shortened and, in turn, power consumption of the washer pump (not shown) can be reduced while the washer liquid “W” is inhibited from being frozen.

The rear-side wall163cof the backward-side channel block163is provided with a plurality of backward-side injection nozzles D and E facing the front glass120as shown inFIG. 11. In the second embodiment, two backward-side injection nozzles D and E are provided. These backward-side injection nozzles D and E are disposed so as to be aligned along the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber120at a distance substantially equal to that of the forward-side injection nozzles A, B, and C.

Here, one backward-side injection nozzle D is disposed between the forward-side injection nozzles A and B along the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber120, and the other backward-side nozzle E is disposed between the forward-side injection nozzles B and C along the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber120. Also, each of the backward-side injection nozzles D and E is formed in a substantially spherical shape similar to that of each of the forward-side injection nozzles A, B and C so as to adjust an injecting direction of washer liquid “W” (seeFIG. 11).

Each of the backward-side injection nozzles D and E is oriented to a backward side of the blade rubber120. More specifically, as shown inFIG. 11, the backward-side injection nozzle D on an outer peripheral side of the rear-side wall163cis oriented to the backward side and the outer peripheral side of the blade rubber120. On the other hand, the backward-side injection nozzle E on an inner peripheral side of the rear-side wall163cis oriented to the backward side and the inner peripheral side of the blade rubber120.

In this manner, by orienting the backward-side injection nozzles D and E to two directions, that is, an outer peripheral side and an inner peripheral side, respectively, on the backward side of the blade rubber120, a nearby portion on the backward side of the blade rubber120can substantially uniformly get wet. Here, if diffusion-type nozzles which inject the washer liquid “W” in a mist manner are also used as the backward-side injection nozzles D and E, it is possible to wet a wider area inside the wiping-out area “AR”.

Also, as with the forward-side washer mechanism161a, the length dimension of the backward-side washer mechanism161balong the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber120is shortened. Therefore, also in the backward-side washer mechanism161b, the channel through which the washer liquid “W” passes before injected can be shortened and, in turn, power consumption of the washer pump can be reduced while the washer liquid “W” is inhibited from being frozen.

Here, although not shown in detail, the injection positions of the washer liquid “W” injected from the forward-side injection nozzles A, B, and C and the injection positions of the backward-side injection nozzles D and E are alternately disposed along the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber120. Therefore, in wiping-out motion of the blade rubber120for one reciprocation with injection of washer liquid, the front glass112can uniformly get wet. With this, in wiping-out motion of the blade rubber120for one reciprocation with injection of the washer liquid “W”, a wide area on the front glass112can be cleanly washed.

To the inner-peripheral-side wall162aof the forward-side channel block162and the inner-peripheral-side wall163aof the backward-side channel block163, a forward-side tube insertion unit162iand a backward-side tube insertion unit163iare integrally provided, respectively, as shown inFIGS. 10 and 11. To each of the forward-side tube insertion unit162fand the backward-side tube insertion unit163f, one end side of a rubber tube “TB” shown inFIG. 12is inserted.

Here, to the other end side of the rubber tube “TB”, the washer pump installed inside the engine room of the vehicle is connected. Also, the rubber tubes “TB” are arranged on the inner peripheral side along the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber120, thereby making the other end side of the rubber tube “TB” easily introduced into the engine room.

Then, by operating a washer switch, the washer pump is driven. Then, as two-dot-chain lines with arrows inFIGS. 9 and 10, the washer liquid “W” is supplied via the rubber tubes “TB” to the inside of the forward-side channel block162and the backward-side channel block163. Here, by switching driving of the washer pump, the washer liquid “W” is supplied only to the forward-side channel block162at the time of forward-side wiping-out motion of the wiper blade110, and the washer liquid “W” is supplied only to the backward-side channel block163at the time of backward-side wiping-out motion of the wiper blade110.

As described in detail above, according to the wiper blade110of the second embodiment, by the attachment holes141eand141f, the positioning claws162gand163g, and the retaining claws162hand163h, the washer apparatus160is fixed to the coupling member140having stiffness higher than that of the holder member130and to which the wiper arm111is coupled. The stiffness of the coupling member140is high (made of a steel plate) because the wiper arm111is coupled. Therefore, the washer apparatus160can be strongly fixed to the coupling member140. Thus, the injection position of the washer liquid “W” can be stabilized.

The present invention is not restricted to the above-described second embodiment, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be variously modified in a range not deviating from the gist of the present invention. For example, while the wiper blade110wipes out the front glass112as a windshield in the above-described second embodiment, the present invention is not restricted to this, and the present invention can be applied as wiping out a rear glass as a windshield.

Also, in the second embodiment, three forward-side injection nozzles are provided, two backward-side injection nozzles are provided, and the washer liquid “W” as minimum as required is injected by these five injection nozzles in total, thereby reducing the consumption amount of the washer liquid “W”. However, the present invention is not restricted to this construction. For example, the number of forward-side injection nozzles and the number of backward-side injection nozzles may be equal to each other, or the number of backward-side injection nozzles may be larger than the number of forward-side injection nozzles.

Furthermore, in the above-described second embodiment, the forward-side injection nozzles A, B, and C are provided on the rear-side wall162c, and the backward-side injection nozzles D and E are provided on the rear-side wall163c. However, the present invention is not restricted to this. For example, the forward-side injection nozzles A, B, and C may be provided on the forward-side wall162e, and the backward-side injection nozzles D and E may be provided on the backward-side wall163e.

FIG. 18is a perspective view showing an entire wiper blade of a third embodiment,FIG. 19is an enlarged perspective view of the periphery of a coupling member of the wiper blade ofFIG. 18when viewed from a front side,FIG. 20is an enlarged perspective view of the periphery of the coupling member of the wiper blade ofFIG. 18when viewed from a rear side,FIG. 21is a diagram viewed from an arrow “a” ofFIG. 18,FIG. 22is an enlarged perspective view for describing a fixing structure of the coupling member and a washer apparatus,FIG. 23is a diagram viewed from an arrow “b” ofFIG. 19,FIG. 24is a diagram viewed from an arrow “c” ofFIG. 19,FIG. 25is a sectional view along a d-d line ofFIG. 20,FIG. 26is a sectional view along an e-e line ofFIG. 20, andFIGS. 27A and 27Bare diagrams explaining a tilted state of the wiper blade in a wiping-out direction.

As shown inFIG. 18, a wiper blade210is rotatably attached to a tip portion of a wiper arm211provided on a front side (not shown) of a vehicle such as automotive vehicle. With ON operation on a wiper switch (not shown) provided inside a cabin, the wiper arm211is driven for swinging with rotational driving of a wiper motor (not shown). This causes the wiper blade210to make reciprocating wiping-out motion in a predetermined wiping range “AR” formed on a front glass (windshield)212toward a forward side and a backward side as indicated by arrows in the drawing.

As shown inFIGS. 18 to 27, the wiper blade210includes: a blade rubber220in contact with the front glass212; a holder member230which holds the blade rubber220; a coupling member240provided to an intermediate portion of the holder member230in a longitudinal direction; and a cover member250covering the coupling member240, and a washer apparatus260fixed to the coupling member240.

As shown inFIGS. 25 and 26, the blade rubber220includes: a main body portion221held by the holder member230; a lip portion222in contact with the front glass212; and a neck portion223which couples the main body portion221and the lip portion222to each other. In addition, note that the blade rubber220is formed so as to be long by extrusion molding of an elastic material such as rubber and has a sectional shape that is uniform over an entire region in the longitudinal direction.

At the tip portion of the lip unit222, that is, on a front glass side212of the lip unit222, a flat-shaped contact unit222ain contact with the front glass212is provided. An entire surface of this contact unit222amakes contact with the front glass212, as shown inFIGS. 21, 25, and 26, when the wiper blade210is not tilted with respect to the front surface (wiping-out surface) of the front glass212but in a vertical state.

The neck portion223has a thickness in a motion direction (lateral direction in the drawing) of the blade rubber220set to be thinner than that of the main body portion221and the lip portion222, and therefore easily elastically deformable. Thus, when the wiper blade210moves to the forward side and the backward side on the front glass212, the lip portion222is allowed to be tilted, and in turn, the tip portion of the lip portion222can smoothly follow in a moving direction of the wiper blade210(seeFIG. 27). Therefore, extraneous matter (not shown) such as rain water and dirt on the front glass212can be reliably wiped out.

As shown inFIGS. 18, 19, and 25, the holder member230includes a holder main body231and a fin portion232. The holder main body231and the fin portion232are integrated by two-color molding of materials different in hardness from each other, and they are long, and similarly in length to the blade rubber220.

The holder main body231is formed of resin material such as flexible plastic, and can follow a curved surface (not shown) of the front glass212while having a strength sufficient to hold the main body portion221of the blade rubber220. On the other hand, the fin portion232is formed of elastic material such as rubber, and lower in hardness than the holder main body231. With traveling wind hitting the fin portion232, a downforce is applied to the wiper blade210, thereby favorably holding the wiping-out performance of the blade rubber220.

As shown inFIG. 25, paired vertebrae233are provided inside the holder main body231and spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance. The vertebrae233are each formed of steel plate with spring properties, and are disposed so as to interpose the main body portion221of the blade rubber220from the forward side and the backward side to have a mirror image relation. In a natural state in which no external force is applied, each vertebra233is curved with a curvature larger than the curvature of the front glass212, and causes the holder member230and the blade rubber220to be elastically deformed in accordance the curvature of the front glass212. With this construction, the entire region of the lip portion222in the longitudinal direction is brought into intimate contact with the front glass212.

As shown inFIGS. 18 and 21, paired end caps234are attached to both ends of the holder member230in the longitudinal direction. With this, the blade rubber220held by the holder member230is prevented from coming off. On the same side of each end cap234as the blade rubber220, as shown inFIG. 21, a spacer member235(only one is shown in the drawing) is attached. A side surface (front side in the drawing) of the spacer member235is formed in a gentle arc shape, thereby smoothly relieving travelling wind flowing from a front side (right side in the drawing) of the blade rubber220to a rear side of the blade rubber220(left side in the drawing). Thus, it is possible to inhibit the occurrence of a so-called water draining phenomenon, in which the washer liquid “W” (seeFIG. 20) is convoluted to a rear side at both end in the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber220, and eliminate an unwiped portion (wiping unevenness).

Here, the holder member230is composed of the holder main body231, the fin part232, each vertebra233, the end caps234, and the spacer member235. The spacer member235forming the holder member230is disposed to a portion of the holder member230closest to the front glass212, thereby forming a boundary part in the present invention. More specifically, as shown inFIG. 21, when the wiper blade210is viewed in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber220, a boundary part BL is formed between the spacer member235and the blade rubber220. The position of this boundary part BL from the front glass212is set at a height dimension “H”. The height dimension “H” of this boundary part BL is lower than height dimensions “h1” and “h2” of the washer apparatus260(the forward-side channel block262and the backward-side channel block263), which will be described further below (H<h2<h1).

As shown inFIGS. 18 to 22, 26, and 27, the coupling member240is provided to an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the holder member230and at a portion near a coupling unit between the holder member230and the wiper arm211. This coupling member240is composed of a coupling main body241, a columnar pin242, a hook attachment member243, and a base plate244.

The coupling main body241has a section formed in a substantially “U” shape by pressing working of a steel plate. The coupling main body241includes a bottom wall unit241a, and a forward-side wall unit241band a backward-side wall unit241ceach integrally provided to the bottom wall unit241aand disposed to face each other. To the bottom wall unit241a, a plurality of fixing leg units241d(only one is shown inFIG. 22) are integrally provided. With these fixing leg units241dswaged and fixed to each vertebra233, the coupling main body241is strongly fixed to each vertebra233. Here, the coupling main body241includes a function of holding the respective vertebrae233with predetermined spacing.

Between the forward-side wall unit241band the backward-side wall unit241c, the columnar pin242made of steel material is swaged and fixed. To the columnar pin242, the hook attachment member243formed of resin material such as plastic into a predetermined shape is rotatably attached. Here, to the hook attachment member243, a U-shaped hook (not shown) formed at the tip portion of the wiper arm211is coupled with a single touch. That is, the wiper arm211is coupled to the coupling member240.

The forward-side wall unit241band the backward-side wall unit241care provided with a forward-side attachment hole241eand a backward-side attachment hole241f, respectively, which are open in a direction crossing (orthogonal to) the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber220. The forward-side attachment hole241eand the backward-side attachment hole241fare each formed in a substantially rectangular shape, and face each other from the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber220. To the forward-side attachment hole241eand the backward-side attachment hole241f, positioning claws262gand263gand retaining claws262hand263hof the forward-side channel block262and the backward-side channel block263, respectively, are inserted and fixed.

The base plate244is formed of resin material such as plastic in a plate shape as shown inFIG. 26. To this base plate244, a plurality of fixing leg units244aare integrally provided. Each fixing leg unit244aof the base plate244is attached to each vertebra233. With this, the base plate244is fixed to each vertebra233. Here, the coupling main body241is disposed on the same side of the holder member230as a fin unit232(front side), and the base plate is disposed on the same side of the holder member230as a holder main body231(rear side).

As shown inFIGS. 19, 23, and 24, the cover member250is formed of resin material such as plastic in a substantially box shape, and attached to the coupling main body241by a plurality of integrally-provided engaging claws (not shown). This cover member250is provided so as to cover the coupling main body241forming part of the coupling member240, thereby enhancing the appearance of the wiper blade210.

The cover member250includes a forward-side cover unit251and a backward-side cover unit252. The forward-side cover unit251and the backward-side cover unit252are integrated on an imaginary line “L” shown inFIG. 19as a boundary. The forward-side cover unit251is provided and interposed between the forward-side wall unit241band the forward-side channel block262(seeFIG. 22), and the backward-side cover unit252is provided and interposed between the backward-side wall unit241cand the backward-side channel block263(seeFIG. 22).

The forward-side cover unit251includes a forward-side covering unit251awhich covers the outer surface of the forward-side wall unit241band a fin-shaped unit251bextended from the forward-side covering unit251ato the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber220and formed in a shape similar to that of the fin unit232of the holder member230.

Also, the backward-side cover unit252includes a backward-side covering unit252awhich covers the outer surface of the backward-side wall unit241cand a holder-main-body-shaped unit252bextended from the backward-side covering unit252ato the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber220and formed in a shape similar to that of the holder main body unit231of the holder member230.

In this manner, by forming the shape of the cover member250similar to the shape of the holder member230, aerodynamic resistance of a portion where the cover member250is provided and aerodynamic resistance of a portion where the cover member250is not provided have a substantially same value. With this, wiping-out performance of the blade rubber220is made favorable while the appearance of the wiper blade210is enhanced.

As shown inFIGS. 18 to 24, 26, and 27, the washer apparatus260is provided to an intermediate portion of the holder member230in the longitudinal direction in the vicinity of a coupling portion between the holder member230and the wiper arm211. Here, inFIGS. 23 and 24, the washer apparatus260is shaded for ease of understanding of the structure of the washer apparatus260.

The washer apparatus260includes a forward-side washer mechanism261aand a backward-side washer mechanism261bso as to interpose the coupling main body241. The forward-side washer mechanism261aand the backward-side washer mechanism261bare each fixed to the coupling main body241, and are disposed to face each other so as to have a mirror image relation centering at the blade rubber220.

As shown inFIGS. 23 and 24, the washer mechanisms261aand261bforming the washer apparatus260are provided in ranges of projected areas of the forward-side cover unit251and the backward-side cover unit252in the cover member250in a plan view from the direction crossing the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber220, that is, broken lines (I) and (II) shown inFIGS. 23 and 24, respectively.

In this manner, by providing the washer apparatus260in the range of the projected area of the cover member250, disturbance in travelling wind (not shown) flowing from the backward side of the wiper blade210, for example, the front side of the vehicle, is inhibited to prevent a decrease in wiping-out performance of the blade rubber220.

The forward-side washer mechanism261aand the backward-side washer mechanism261brespectively include a forward-side channel block262and a backward-side channel block263, which are different in shape from each other. Each of the forward-side channel block262and the backward-side channel block263is formed of resin material such as plastic, and formed into a stepped box shape.

Here, the forward-side channel block262has a length dimension along the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber220longer than that of the backward-side channel block263. This is because the projected area of the forward-side cover unit251(see the broken line (I) ofFIG. 23) is larger than the projected area of the backward-side cover unit252(see the broken line (II) ofFIG. 24).

The forward-side channel block262is provided on a forward side of the blade rubber220, and includes an inner-peripheral-side wall262a, an outer-peripheral-side wall262b, a rear-side wall262c, a front-side wall262d, a forward-side wall262e, and a coupling-main-body-side wall262f. Here, the inner-peripheral-side wall262aand the outer-peripheral-side wall262bare disposed to face each other, the rear-side wall262cand the front-side wall262dare disposed to face each other, and the forward-side wall262e, and the coupling-main-body-side wall262fare disposed to face each other. Of these walls, the front-side wall262dis formed into a three-step shape as shown inFIG. 19. In addition, a tapered surface “TP” inclined at an angle of substantially 45 degrees is between the rear-side wall262cand the backward-side wall262e.

Here, the rear side wall262cof the forward-side channel block262forms a lower surface in the present invention. This rear side wall262cis provided on the same side as the blade rubber220, and extends substantially in parallel with the front glass212. Also, the tapered surface TP of the forward-side channel block262forms a tilted surface in the present invention. This tapered surface TP is provided so as to be tilted upward from the rear side wall262cas heading toward a side away from the blade rubber220(upper side inFIG. 21).

To the coupling-main-body-side wall262fof the forward-side channel block262, the positioning claw262gand the retaining claw262hare integrally provided so as to protrude toward a coupling main body241. The positioning claw262gand retaining claw262hform a fixing claw in the present invention, and both are fixed to the forward-side wall unit241bby being inserted into the forward-side attachment hole241eto be hooked on the forward-side wall unit241b. In addition, although the positioning claw262gand the retaining claw262hare not shown in detail, they are formed in shapes similar to those of the positioning claw263gand the retaining claw263hof the backward-side channel block263, respectively, which will be described further below.

The backward-side channel block263is provided on a backward side of the blade rubber220, and includes an inner-peripheral-side wall263a, an outer-peripheral-side wall263b, a rear-side wall263c, a front-side wall263d, a backward-side wall263e, and a coupling-main-body-side wall263f. Here, the inner-peripheral-side wall263aand the outer-peripheral-side wall263bare disposed to face each other, the rear-side wall263cand the front-side wall263dare disposed to face each other, and the backward-side wall263eand the coupling-main-body-side wall263fare disposed to face each other. Of these walls, the front-side wall263dis formed stepwise with two steps as shown inFIG. 19. In addition, a tapered surface “TP” inclined at an angle of substantially 45 degrees is between the rear-side wall263cand the backward-side wall263e.

Here, the rear side wall263cof the backward-side channel block263forms a lower surface in the present invention. This rear side wall263cis provided on the same side as the blade rubber220, and extends substantially in parallel with the front glass212. Also, the tapered surface TP of the backward-side channel block263forms a tilted surface in the present invention. This tapered surface TP is provided so as to be tilted upward from the rear side wall263cas heading toward a side away from the blade rubber220(upper side inFIG. 21).

To the coupling-main-body-side wall263fof the backward-side channel block263, the positioning claw263gand the retaining claw263hare integrally provided so as to protrude toward a coupling main body241. These positioning claw263gand retaining claw263hform a fixing claw in the present invention, and both are fixed to the backward-side wall unit241cby being inserted into the backward-side attachment hole241fto be hooked on the backward-side wall unit241c.

To fix the forward-side channel block262and the backward-side channel block263to the coupling main body241, as shown inFIG. 22, the positioning claws262gand263gare first diagonally inserted into the forward-side attachment hole241eand the backward-side attachment hole241f, respectively, to be hooked. With this, the forward-side channel block262and the backward-side channel block263are positioned with respect to the forward-side wall unit241band the backward-side wall unit241c, respectively. That is, the positioning claws262gand263gposition the coupling member240of the washer apparatus260.

Then, the retaining claws262hand263hare inserted into the forward-side attachment hole241eand the backward-side attachment hole241f, respectively, from the direction crossing the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber220to be hooked. With this, the forward-side channel block262and the backward-side channel block263are retained with respect to the forward-side wall unit241band the backward-side wall unit241c, respectively, thereby completing fixation of the forward-side channel block262and the backward-side channel block263to the coupling main body241. That is, the retaining claws262hand263hprevent the washer apparatus260from being detached from the coupling member240.

In this manner, without using fixing means such as adhesive, strong fixation with a single touch can be achieved by the attachment holes241eand241f, the positioning claws262gand263g, and the retaining claws262hand263h. With this, an improvement in productivity and a reduction in manufacturing cost can be achieved.

Here, inFIG. 22, the hook attachment member243and the cover member250(seeFIG. 19) are omitted for ease of understanding the fixing structure of the forward-side channel block262and the backward-side channel block263to the coupling main body241.

In addition, note that the forward-side channel block262and the backward-side channel block263are each fixed to the coupling main body241after the cover member250is attached to the coupling main body241. That is, the washer apparatus260is fixed to the coupling member240via the cover member250. In this manner, the cover member250is strongly fixed to the coupling member240together with the washer apparatus without rattling.

The rear-side wall262cof the forward-side channel block262is provided with a plurality of forward-side injection nozzles A, B, and C facing the front glass212as shown inFIG. 20. In the second embodiment, three forward-side injection nozzles A, B, and C are provided. These forward-side injection nozzles A, B, and C are disposed so as to be aligned substantially equidistantly along the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber220. Each of the forward-side injection nozzles A, B, and C is formed in a substantially spherical shape as shown inFIG. 26so as to adjust an injecting direction of washer liquid “W” (seeFIG. 20).

Each of the forward-side injection nozzles A, B, and C is oriented to a forward side of the blade rubber220. More specifically, as shown inFIG. 20, the forward-side injection nozzle A on an outer peripheral side of the rear-side wall262cis oriented to the forward side and the outer peripheral side of the blade rubber220. In addition, the forward-side injection nozzle B at an intermediate portion of the rear-side wall262cin the longitudinal direction is oriented to the forward side of the blade rubber220and a direction (horizontal direction) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber220. Furthermore, the forward-side injection nozzle C on an inner peripheral side of the rear-side wall262cis oriented to the forward side and the inner peripheral side of the blade rubber220.

In this manner, the forward-side injection nozzles A, B, and C are provided to the rear side wall262c, and are oriented to three directions, that is, an outer peripheral side, just beside, and an inner peripheral side, respectively, on the forward side of the blade rubber220. With this, the washer liquid “W” can be easily injected along the blade rubber220and in a direction (just beside) perpendicular to the blade rubber220. Thus, a nearby portion on the forward side of the blade rubber220can substantially uniformly get wet. Here, if diffusion-type nozzles which inject the washer liquid “W” in a mist manner are used, it is possible to wet a wider area inside the wiping-out area “AR” (seeFIG. 18).

Also, by the forward-side injection nozzles A, B, and C, a wide area inside the wiping-out area “AR” is wetted with the washer liquid “W”, and the length dimension of the forward-side washer mechanism261aalong the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber220is shortened. Therefore, the channel through which the washer liquid “W” passes before injected can be shortened and, in turn, power consumption of the washer pump (not shown) can be reduced while the washer liquid “W” is inhibited from being frozen.

The rear-side wall263cof the backward-side channel block263is provided with a plurality of backward-side injection nozzles D and E facing the front glass120as shown inFIG. 20. In the second embodiment, two backward-side injection nozzles D and E are provided. These backward-side injection nozzles D and E are disposed so as to be aligned along the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber220at a distance substantially equal to that of the forward-side injection nozzles A, B, and C.

Here, one backward-side injection nozzle D is disposed between the forward-side injection nozzles A and B along the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber220, and the other backward-side nozzle E is disposed between the forward-side injection nozzles B and C along the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber220. Also, each of the backward-side injection nozzles D and E is formed in a substantially spherical shape similar to that of each of the forward-side injection nozzles A, B and C so as to adjust an injecting direction of washer liquid “W” (seeFIG. 20).

Each of the backward-side injection nozzles D and E is oriented to a backward side of the blade rubber220. More specifically, as shown inFIG. 20, the backward-side injection nozzle D on an outer peripheral side of the rear-side wall263cis oriented to the backward side and the outer peripheral side of the blade rubber220. On the other hand, the backward-side injection nozzle E on an inner peripheral side of the rear-side wall263cis oriented to the backward side and the inner peripheral side of the blade rubber220.

In this manner, the backward-side injection nozzles D and E are provided to the rear-side wall263c, and by orienting the backward-side injection nozzles D and E to two directions, that is, an outer peripheral side and an inner peripheral side, respectively, on the backward side of the blade rubber220, it is possible to inject the washer liquid “W” along the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber220with ease. Therefore, a nearby portion on the backward side of the blade rubber220can substantially uniformly get wet. Here, if diffusion-type nozzles which inject the washer liquid “W” in a mist manner are also used as the backward-side injection nozzles D and E, it is possible to wet a wider area inside the wiping-out area “AR”.

Also, as with the forward-side washer mechanism261a, the length dimension of the backward-side washer mechanism261balong the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber220is shortened. Therefore, also in the backward-side washer mechanism261b, the channel through which the washer liquid “W” passes before injected can be shortened and, in turn, power consumption of the washer pump can be reduced while the washer liquid “W” is inhibited from being frozen.

Here, although not shown in detail, the injection positions of the washer liquid “W” injected from the forward-side injection nozzles A, B, and C and the injection positions of the backward-side injection nozzles D and E are alternately disposed along the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber220. Therefore, in wiping-out motion of the blade rubber220for one reciprocation with injection of washer liquid, the front glass212can uniformly get wet. With this, in wiping-out motion of the blade rubber220for one reciprocation with injection of the washer liquid “W”, a wide area on the front glass212can be cleanly washed.

FIG. 21shows the wiper blade210when viewed along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber220, and also shows the wiper blade210being in a vertical state without being tilted, with respect to the front surface of the front glass212.

In the plane shown inFIG. 21, that is, in the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber220, a line segment passing through the contact unit222aand parallel with the front surface of the front glass212is taken as a first reference line “L1”. Also, in the plane shown inFIG. 21, a line segment passing through the contact unit222aand in contact with the spacer member235forming the holder member230is taken as a second reference line “L2”.

In the wiper blade210according to the third embodiment, the washer apparatus260is not disposed inside an area of a region “F1” formed between the first reference line “L1” and the second reference line “L2” (a portion with diagonal lines in the drawing). In this manner, in the third embodiment, the washer apparatus260is disposed outside the area of the region “F1” (outside the region) formed between the first reference line “L1” and the second reference line “L2”.

Here, an angle α degrees formed by the first reference line “L1” and the second reference line “L2” is set at “substantially 30 degrees”. With this, even if a center line CE of the blade rubber220is tilted in directions indicated by broken lines with arrows (1) and (4) inFIGS. 27A and 27B, respectively, with respect to a normal line n of the front glass212, sufficient clearances CL1and CL2with a margin can be formed between the washer apparatus260and the front glass212.

Here, by simply increasing the clearances CL1and CL2between the washer apparatus260and the front glass212, a sliding contact (contact) between the washer apparatus260and the front glass212can be easily avoided. However, a distance from each of the injection nozzles A to E to the front glass212, that is, the injection distance of the washer liquid “W” (seeFIG. 20) is increased and, in turn, the injection position becomes disadvantageously unstable.

Thus, to satisfy these phenomena contrary to each other, it is desired that the position where the washer apparatus260is provided be a position away from the front glass212further than the boundary part BL between the spacer member235and the blade rubber220and brought closer as much as possible to an area of the region “F1” (portion with diagonal lines inFIG. 21) formed between the first reference line “L1” and the second reference line “L2” in the plane shown inFIG. 21, that is, in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber220. That is, the positional relation with reference to the second reference line “L2” ofFIG. 21in the third embodiment is a substantially ideal positional relation to satisfy both of “avoidance of sliding contact” and “stabilization of the injection position” as described above.

However, with “stabilization of the injection position” being prioritized, as shown inFIG. 21, by taking a line segment passing through the contact unit222aand having a tilted angle being β degrees (smaller than 20 degrees) with respect to the front surface of the front glass212as a third reference line “L3”, and the washer apparatus260may be disposed outside the area of the region formed between the first reference line “L1” and the third reference line “L3”. Here, this is based on that the center line CE of the blade rubber220is tilted by substantially 15 degrees at maximum with respect to the normal line n of the front glass212in the directions indicated by the broken lines with arrows (1) and (4) inFIG. 27AandFIG. 27Band a clearance narrower than the positional relation with reference to the above-described second reference line “L2” can be formed between the washer apparatus260and the front glass212under the state in which the wiper blade210is tilted at maximum (tilted on the order of 15 degrees). In this manner, by adopting a positional relation with reference to the third reference line “L3”, “stabilization of the injection position” can be made favorable. Also, the risk of a slidable contact between the washer apparatus260and the front glass212is slightly increased.

Also, in each of the forward-side channel block262and the backward-side channel block263forming the washer apparatus260, a tapered surface TP is formed. Even if the blade rubber220is degraded to narrow the clearances CL1and CL2, a slidable contact between the washer apparatus260and the front glass212can be reliably avoided. Furthermore, by forming the tapered surface TP in each of the forward-side channel block262and the backward-side channel block263, the thickness dimension of the washer apparatus260in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber220is gained. This increases the stiffness of the washer apparatus260, thereby making the washer apparatus260applicable to a high-power washer pump.

Here, at the time of wiping-out motion to the forward side shown inFIG. 27A, the wiper blade210is first tilted in a direction indicated by a broken line with an arrow (1). Then, a pressing force from the wiper arm211is loaded in a direction indicated by a broken line with an arrow (2). With this, the blade rubber220is moved in a direction indicated by a broken line with an arrow (3), as being tilted at an optimum rubber contact angle (not shown). With this, attachments such as rain water and dust attached to the front glass212are cleanly wiped out.

Note that the wiping-out motion to the forward side is motion of the wiper blade210moving upward from a lower reverse position (not shown) in the wiping-out area “AR” (seeFIG. 18) on the front glass212and then moving to an upper reverse position (not shown).

Also, at the time of wiping-out motion to the backward side shown inFIG. 27B, the wiper blade210is first tilted in a direction indicated by a broken line with an arrow (4). Then, a pressing force from the wiper arm211is loaded in a direction indicated by a broken line with an arrow (5). With this, the blade rubber220is moved in a direction indicated by a broken line with an arrow (6), as being tilted at an optimum rubber contact angle (not shown). With this, attachments such as rain water and dust attached to the front glass212are cleanly wiped out.

Here, the term “backward-side wiping-out motion” indicates that the wiper blade210is moved from the upper reverse position to the lower reverse position in the wiping-out area “AR” on the front glass212.

To the inner-peripheral-side wall262aof the forward-side channel block262and the inner-peripheral-side wall263aof the backward-side channel block263, a forward-side tube insertion unit262iand a backward-side tube insertion unit263iare integrally provided, respectively, as shown inFIGS. 19 and 20. To each of the forward-side tube insertion unit262iand the backward-side tube insertion unit263i, one end side of a rubber tube “TB” shown inFIG. 22is inserted.

Here, to the other end side of the rubber tube “TB”, the washer pump installed inside the engine room of the vehicle is connected. Also, the rubber tubes “TB” are arranged on the inner peripheral side along the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber220, thereby making the other end side of the rubber tube “TB” easily introduced into the engine room.

Then, by operating a washer switch, the washer pump is driven. Then, as two-dot-chain lines with arrows inFIGS. 18 and 19, the washer liquid “W” is supplied via the rubber tubes “TB” to the inside of the forward-side channel block262and the backward-side channel block263. Here, by switching driving of the washer pump, the washer liquid “W” is supplied only to the forward-side channel block262at the time of forward-side wiping-out motion of the wiper blade210, and the washer liquid “W” is supplied only to the backward-side channel block263at the time of backward-side wiping-out motion of the wiper blade210.

As described in detail above, according to the wiper blade210of the third embodiment, the washer apparatus260is fixed to the coupling member240which couples the holder member230and the wiper arm211, and the washer apparatus260is provided at a position away from the front glass212compared with the boundary part BL between the holder member230and the blade rubber220on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber220.

Therefore, the stiffness of the coupling member240is high (made of a steel sheet) because the wiper arm211is coupled. Thus, it is possible to prevent a rattle of the washer apparatus260and stabilize the injection position of the washer liquid “W”.

Also, at the time of reciprocating wiping-out motion of the wiper blade210, when the wiper blade210is tilted in the wiping-out direction, the washer apparatus260does not slidably contact with the front glass212, thereby preventing a decrease in wiping-out performance.

The present invention is not restricted to the above-described third embodiment, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be variously modified in a range not deviating from the gist of the present invention. For example, while the wiper blade210wipes out the front glass212as a windshield in the above-described third embodiment, the present invention is not restricted to this, and the present invention can be applied as wiping out a rear glass as a windshield.

Also, in the third embodiment, three forward-side injection nozzles are provided, two backward-side injection nozzles are provided, and the washer liquid “W” as minimum as required is injected by these five injection nozzles in total, thereby reducing the consumption amount of the washer liquid “W”. However, the present invention is not restricted to this construction. For example, the number of forward-side injection nozzles and the number of backward-side injection nozzles may be equal to each other, or the number of backward-side injection nozzles may be larger than the number of forward-side injection nozzles.

Furthermore, in the above-described second embodiment, the forward-side injection nozzles A, B, and C are provided on the rear-side wall262c, and the backward-side injection nozzles D and E are provided on the rear-side wall263c. However, the present invention is not restricted to this. For example, the forward-side injection nozzles A, B, and C may be provided on the forward-side wall262e, and the backward-side injection nozzles D and E may be provided on the backward-side wall263e.

The wiper blade is used to make visibility of the driver or others via the windshield favorable by wiping out the windshield provided to a vehicle such as automotive vehicle.