Vehicle wiper device

A pipe member is arranged along a wiper arm. A wiper blade has a lever rotatably coupled to the wiper arm and a blade rubber for wiping a surface to be wiped. A nozzle mechanism has an attachment member attached to the wiper arm, a nozzle member for supplying the washer liquid sent under pressure from the pipe member to the surface to be wiped, and an engaging portion provided in the nozzle member. The attachment member rotatably supports the nozzle member. The engaging portion engages with the wiper blade such that the nozzle member follows rotation of the wiper blade. Therefore, a vehicle wiper device facilitates replacement of the wiper blade, and allows washer liquid to be stably received by the surface to be wiped.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from Japanese application 2005-318733, filed on Nov. 1, 2005, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a vehicle wiper device that wipes a surface to be wiped of a vehicle window glass and supplies washer liquid to the surface to be wiped.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically, when a wiper blade wipes to wipe dirt from a vehicle window glass, a washing device supplies washer liquid to the surface to be wiped. For example, a wiper device disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Publication No. 54-180541 includes a wiper arm to which a rigid pipe is attached, which properly supplies washer liquid to a surface to be wiped. On an outer side of a wiper blade that is rotatably supported by the wiper arm, the rigid pipe is arranged to extend along the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade. The rigid pipe has a number of spray holes for spraying washer liquid to the surface to be wiped at close range. The wiper blade follows the curved shape of the surface to be wiped.

However, in the above configuration, it is difficult to cause the rigid pipe attached to the wiper arm to follow the curved shape of the surface to be wiped. Therefore, when the wiper blade wipes the surface to be wiped, the distance between the surface to be wiped and the spray holes, the spraying angle of the spray holes in relation to the surface to be wiped vary. Washer liquid sprayed from the spray holes cannot be stably received by the surface to be wiped.

In a configuration where a washer nozzle is simply attached to a wiper blade so as to follow a curved shape of a surface to be wiped, the washer nozzle must be removed from a hose extending from the vehicle body when the wiper blade is replaced. This complicates the replacement of the wiper blade.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a vehicle wiper device that facilitates replacement of a wiper blade, and allows washer liquid to be stably received by a surface to be wiped.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, a vehicle wiper device for wiping a surface to be wiped of a vehicle is provided. A pipe member supplying washer liquid extends from the vehicle. The pipe member is arranged along a wiper arm. A wiper blade has a lever rotatably coupled to the wiper arm and a blade rubber for wiping the surface to be wiped. The lever includes at least one lever member for holding the blade rubber. A nozzle mechanism has an attachment member attached to the wiper arm, a nozzle member for supplying the washer liquid sent under pressure from the pipe member to the surface to be wiped, and an engaging portion provided in the nozzle member. The attachment member rotatably supports the nozzle member. The engaging portion engages with the wiper blade such that the nozzle member follows rotation of the wiper blade.

The wiper blade may further include a cover attached to the lever. The cover may have an opening facing the blade rubber and the cover may accommodate at least part of the lever from the opening. The engaging portion may engage with at least one of the cover and the lever.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A vehicle wiper device11shown inFIG. 1wipes dirt and rain droplets from a surface to be wiped1aof a vehicle windshield1.

The vehicle wiper device11includes a wiper arm12, wiper blade13, and a nozzle mechanism41attached to the wiper arm12. A proximal end of the wiper arm12is coupled to a pivot shaft (not shown), which is caused to reciprocate in a predetermined angle range by drive force of a wiper motor (not shown). The wiper blade13is rotatably coupled to a distal end of the wiper arm12. The wiper blade13is rotatable about a rotation axis L that extends along the surface to be wiped1a. The rotation axis L is shown inFIG. 8. A spring (not shown) for pressing the wiper blade13against the surface to be wiped1ais attached to the wiper arm12shown inFIG. 1. As the pivot shaft rotates in a reciprocating manner, the wiper arm12is caused to pivot in a reciprocating manner, so that the wiper blade13wipes the surface to be wiped1a.

As shown inFIG. 3, the wiper blade13includes a lever assembly14, a blade rubber15, a cover16, and a coupling member17.

The lever assembly14, which serves as a lever, includes a primary lever21and two secondary levers22, each coupled to one end of the primary lever21. The primary lever21and the secondary levers22are assembled to form a tournament chart-like structure, that is, hierarchical structure. The primary lever21and the secondary levers22are lever members formed by pressing metal plate material.

The primary lever21has a holder portion21alocated at a center and two arm portions21bextending in the longitudinal direction from the holder portion21a. The holder portion21ahas a rectangular opening21cthat opens upward. The holder portion21aincludes a pair of parallel sidewalls to define the opening21c. A coupler pin18extends between the sidewalls and through the opening21c. The opening21creceives the coupling member17. The coupling member17is rotatably attached to the coupler pin18so as to be rotatably supported in the holder portion21a. The distal end of the wiper arm12is inserted into the opening21c, and detachably connected to the coupling member17. The primary lever21is rotatable relative to the wiper arm12about the coupler pin18, which extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the wiper arm12. As viewed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, or in a lateral cross-sectional view, each arm portion21bhas an inverted U-shape opened to the surface to be wiped1a. That is, each arm portion21bhas a mountain-folded shape.

Like the arm portions21bof the primary lever21, the secondary levers22each have an inverted U-shaped cross-section opened to the surface to be wiped1a. A central portion of each secondary lever22is rotatably coupled to each end of the primary lever21, or to the distal end of each arm portion21b. Each secondary lever22is rotatable relative to the primary lever21about a rotation axis that extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the primary lever21. A holding portion22afor holding the blade rubber15is formed at each end of each secondary lever22. Each holding portion22ais shaped like a channel with an opening toward the surface to be wiped1a, and has hook shaped distal ends that are bent inward. The lever assembly14has four holding portions22afor holding the blade rubber15at positions spaced at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction.

The blade rubber15for wiping the surface to be wiped1ahas an elongated shape. A pair of elongated backings19are attached to the blade rubber15along the longitudinal direction of the blade rubber15. The backings19disperse, along the longitudinal direction, pressing force that is applied to the blade rubber15from the holding portions22ato urge the blade rubber15toward the surface to be wiped1a. In order that the blade rubber15reliably follows the surface to be wiped1a, the backings19has a curved shape to correspond to the curved shape of the surface to be wiped1a. Each backing19has different radii of curvature at different sections so that the radii o curvature changes along the longitudinal direction.

As shown inFIGS. 1 to 3, the cover16covers the lever assembly14and the blade rubber15over the entire length. The cover16includes a center cover31and two side covers32, each located on a side of the center cover31. The center cover31and the side covers32are made of a resin material and have a predetermined rigidity.

The center cover31serving as a fixed cover is attached to and covers the primary lever21. The center cover31has a holder accommodating portion31aat a center and a pair of arm accommodating portions31bextending in the longitudinal direction from the ends of the holder accommodating portion31a. The holder accommodating portion31aaccommodates the holder portion21aof the primary lever21. The holder accommodating portion31ahas an opening31cthat corresponds to the opening21cof the holder portion21a. The opening31creceives the distal end of the wiper arm12. As viewed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, or in a lateral cross-sectional view, each arm accommodating portion31bhas an inverted U-shape opened to the surface to be wiped1a.

The proximal end of each side cover32, which serves as a movable cover, is rotatably supported by an end of the primary lever21, or by the distal end of the corresponding arm portion21b. A coupler pins32xare provided the inner side of the proximal end of each side cover32. Coupler holes21xare formed in each end of the primary lever21. The coupler pins32xare received by the coupler holes21x, so that the side covers32are rotatable relative to the primary lever21. As the arm accommodating portions31bof the center cover31, each side cover32has an inverted U-shaped cross-section. The apex of each side cover32becomes lower from the proximal end toward the distal end.

Each side cover32covers the corresponding secondary lever22, and a portion of the blade rubber15that extends from the secondary lever22. A holding portion32ais formed at the distal end of each side covers32to hold the corresponding distal end of the blade rubber15. The holding portions32aare similar to the holding portions of the secondary levers22. Each side cover32is rotatable about the corresponding coupler pins32x, which extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the primary lever21. Therefore, when a portion of the blade rubber15that extends further from the distal end of one of the secondary lever22is bent, the corresponding side cover32is rotated to following the bending of the blade rubber15.

A fin portion31dis formed in each arm accommodating portion31bof the center cover31. The fin portion31dextends over the entire length of the arm accommodating portion31b. Likewise, a fin portion32bis formed in a wall of each side cover32that faces forward in the vehicle. The fin portion32bextends over the entire length of the side cover32. The fin portions31d,32breceive relative wind generated when the vehicle is traveling, so that a force pressing the blade rubber15against the surface to be wiped1ais generated.

As shown inFIG. 1, a nozzle mechanism41, functioning as a washer nozzle for spraying washer liquid W onto the surface to be wiped1a, is provide in a center of the wiper blade13. The nozzle mechanism41is attached to the distal end of the wiper arm12. As shown inFIGS. 4 and 6, the nozzle mechanism41includes an attachment member42, a nozzle member43, and a connecting hose44. The attachment member42attaches the nozzle member43to the wiper arm12. The connecting hose44connects the passage in the nozzle member43to the passage in the attachment member42.

As shown inFIG. 1, the wiper arm12includes a retainer12band a plate-like arm piece12afixed to the distal end of the retainer12b. The proximal end the retainer12bis rotatably coupled to an arm head (not shown) fixed to the pivot shaft. A side portion of the retainer12bthat faces forward in the vehicle functions as a fin portion12c. The fin portion12creceives relative wind of the vehicle so that a force pressing the blade rubber15against the surface to be wiped1ais generated.

As shown inFIG. 4, the resin attachment member42includes a crimp portion45, a front arm46, a rear arm48, and a coupling portion47. The crimp portion45is shaped like a channel, and crimps the arm piece12ain the direction of thickness. That is, the crimp portion45is detachably attached to the arm piece12a.

As shown inFIG. 1, the front arm46extends toward the wiper blade13from the crimp portion45. That is, the front arm46extends from the crimp portion45in a direction opposite from the wiper arm12. The front arm46faces a side of the holder accommodating portion31athat faces forward in the vehicle. A fin portion42ais formed on the front arm46and the crimp portion45. The fin portion42ahas the same function as the fin portion12cof the wiper arm12. The fin portion42ais continuously formed with the fin portion12cof the retainer12b.

As shown inFIG. 1, the coupling portion47extends from the crimp portion45and entirely covers a center portion of the center cover31. As shown inFIG. 4, the coupling portion47has in it a support ring47afor supporting the connecting hose44. The support ring47aarranges the connecting hose44such that the connecting hose44does not interfere with the wiper blade13.

As shown inFIG. 6, the rear arm48faces a side of the holder accommodating portion31athat faces rearward in the vehicle. The rear arm48extends from the coupling portion47toward the distal end of the wiper blade13, that is, in a direction away from the wiper arm12.

As shown inFIG. 6, the rear arm48has a columnar support shaft48athat extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade13. The distal end of the support shaft48ahas an engaging projection48bthat projects upward. As shown inFIG. 8, the support shaft48ais coaxial with a rotary shaft of the wiper blade13, that is, the coupler pin18. The support shaft48aserving as a rotary shaft rotatably supports the nozzle member43to the rear arm48. In other words, the rotation axis L of the wiper blade13coincides with the rotation axis L of the nozzle member43.

As shown inFIG. 4, the crimp portion45has a check valve50on a side opposite to the fin portion42a. The check valve50includes a casing51, which is formed as a cylinder with a bottom and integrally formed with a lower portion of the crimp portion45. As shown inFIG. 7, an accommodation recess51aof the casing51accommodates a valve body52and a coil spring53.

The valve body52has a resin proximal portion52aand a sealing portion52bmade of an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer. The disk-shaped sealing portion52bis attached to the columnar proximal portion52a. The proximal portion52ahas an annular seat groove52con a side opposite to the sealing portion52b. The coil spring53, which is a compression spring, has an end attached to the seat groove52cand another end attached to the bottom of the casing51. The diameter of the valve body52is less than the inner diameter of the accommodation recess51a. The space between the inner wall of the accommodation recess51aand the valve body52functions as a passage of the washer liquid W.

As shown inFIG. 7, a lid body54closes an opening of the casing51. A cylindrical hose connector54aextends from the lid body54. An inlet passage54bof the hose connector54aintroduces washer liquid W supplied by a washer pump mounted on the vehicle body to the accommodation recess51aof the casing51. The inlet passage54bextends through a central portion of the lid body54. The lid body54has an annular projection54cprovided about the opening of the inlet passage54b. The outer diameter of the annular projection54cis less than the outer diameter of the valve body52. The urging force of the coil spring53presses the sealing portion52bof the valve body52tightly against the annular projection54c.

As shown inFIG. 7, the bottom of the casing51has an outlet connector51bthat extends in a direction opposite to the lid body54. The outlet connector51bis cylindrical and has an outlet passage51c. After being introduced into the casing51through the inlet passage54b, the washer liquid W passes through the outlet passage51cand is discharged to the nozzle member43. As shown inFIGS. 4 to 6, the connecting hose44has one end fitted to the outlet connector51band another end fitted to an inlet connector43dof the nozzle member43. The connecting hose44and a vehicle-side hose40are made of elastic material such as resin, rubber, or elastomer so that they are flexible.

As shown inFIG. 4, the nozzle member43is attached to the support shaft48aof the rear arm48. The resin nozzle member43is shaped as a rectangular parallelepiped. A insertion hole43ais formed in the nozzle member43. The support shaft48aextends through the insertion hole43a. As shown inFIG. 5, an allowance groove43bis formed in the circumferential surface of the insertion hole43ato permit the engaging projection48bto be received in the insertion hole43a.

When assembling the nozzle member43to the support shaft48a, the nozzle member43is arranged to be perpendicular to the rear arm48so that the engaging projection48bfaces the allowance groove43b. That is, the nozzle member43is arranged to extend vertically as viewed inFIG. 5. Then, the support shaft48ais fully inserted into the insertion hole43awhile inserting the engaging projection48binto the allowance groove43b.

Subsequently, the nozzle member43is rotated by 90°, so that the nozzle member43is arranged to extend in the same direction as the rear arm48. That is, the rear arm48is horizontalized as shown inFIG. 5. As a result, the nozzle member43is attached to the support shaft48a. The engaging projection48bengages with the edge of the insertion hole43awith respect to the axial direction of the insertion hole43a. Therefore, the engaging projection48brotatably install the nozzle member43to the support shaft48awhile preventing the nozzle member43from falling off the support shaft48a. By a reverse procedure to installing of the nozzle member43to the support shaft48a, the nozzle member43can be removed from the support shaft48a.

As shown inFIG. 4, the nozzle member43has an engaging piece43cat an upper portion. As shown inFIG. 8, the engaging piece43c, which functions as an engaging portion, is placed at an edge of the opening31cof the center cover31. The engaging piece43cextends along the longitudinal direction of the nozzle member43. In other words, the engaging piece43cextends in opposite directions in the longitudinal directions of the nozzle member43in relation to the insertion hole43aand the support shaft48a.

When the wiper blade13is rotated relative to the wiper arm12, that is, when the center cover31is rotated relative to the wiper arm12, the engaging piece43cengages with the edge of the opening31cof the center cover31. That is, the center cover31urges the engaging piece43cto rotate about the support shaft48a. As a result, the nozzle member43is rotated together with the wiper blade13and the center cover31.

As shown inFIG. 5, the proximal end of the nozzle member43has the inlet connector43dthat extends in a direction opposite from the insertion hole43a. The cylindrical inlet connector43dhas an inlet passage43e. The inlet connector43dis connected to the connecting hose44. The washer liquid W is introduced into the nozzle member43after passing through the check valve50, the connecting hose44, and the inlet passage43ein this order. The nozzle member43has a supply passage43fcommunicating with the inlet passage43e. The supply passage43fextends along the longitudinal direction of the nozzle member43. The nozzle member43has three spray holes43gon the bottom surface. On a surface of the nozzle member43that faces the surface to be wiped1a, the spray holes43gare located at three positions, or at ends and a center of the nozzle member43. The supply passage43fof the nozzle member43communicates with the spray holes43g.

As shown inFIG. 1, the vehicle-side hose40is arranged on the lower surface of the wiper arm12. The vehicle-side hose40is made of an elastic material such as resin, rubber, and elastomer. The vehicle-side hose40extends from the washer pump (not shown) mounted on the vehicle body, and is fitted to the hose connector54aof the check valve50.

When the washer pump is not operating and supply of washer liquid W is stopped, the urging force of the coil spring53presses the sealing portion52bof the valve body52tightly against the annular projection54cabout the inlet passage54b. That is, the check valve50is closed, and the inlet passage54bis blocked. The washer liquid W is thus prevented from entering the accommodation recess51a.

On the other hand, when the washer pump operates, and the washer liquid W passages through the vehicle-side hose40and is supplied to the check valve50, the pressure of the washer liquid W acts against the urging force of the coil spring53and pushes the valve body52, thereby opening the inlet passage54b. This opens the check valve50and the washer liquid W is supplied to the nozzle member43through the accommodation recess51a, the outlet passage51c, and the connecting hose44.

As shown inFIGS. 5 and 8, after being introduced into the nozzle member43, the washer liquid W passes through the supply passage43fand is sprayed onto the surface to be wiped1afrom the spray holes43g.

When the vehicle wiper device11is not operating, the wiper blade13is located at the lower end of the windshield1. In this state, the fin portions31d,32bof the cover16are located at the front edge of the wiper blade13in the vehicle. The nozzle mechanism41is located rearward in the vehicle of the wiper blade13.

When the washer liquid W needs to be sprayed on to the surface to be wiped1a, the washer pump draws the washer liquid W from a washer liquid tank mounted on the vehicle. The washer pump sends the washer liquid W under pressure from the vehicle-side hose40to the nozzle mechanism41. The space ranging from the check valve50to the valve body52, that is, the space including the interior of the vehicle-side hose40and the inlet passage54b, is filled with the washer liquid W that was supplied from the washer pump in the previous spraying operation. Therefore, when the pressure of the washer liquid W is increased, the valve body52of the check valve50is immediately moved so that the check valve50is opened quickly. As a result, the washer liquid W is supplied to the nozzle member43through the connecting hose44, and is readily sprayed from spray holes43g. In response to the operation of the washer pump, the wiper blade13starts wiping operation.

At the beginning of the wiping operation of the wiper blade13, the nozzle member43of the nozzle mechanism41is close to the surface to be wiped1a. Thus, the washer liquid W is sprayed onto the surface to be wiped1aat close range. As a result, the spraying path of the washer liquid W is prevented from being diverged by relative wind. In other words, unintended spraying of the washer liquid W to the outside of the windshield1due to relative wind is prevented. That is, the washer liquid is readily supplied to target points. Further, the nozzle member43is rearward in the vehicle of the wiper blade13, that is, at a position located ahead of the blade rubber15at the start of wiping operation by the wiper blade13. The nozzle member43supplies the washer liquid W. Thus, the surface to be wiped1ais quickly cleaned. Further, the blade rubber15is prevented from sliding on the surface to be wiped1awhen the surface to be wiped1ais dry.

The engaging piece43cof the nozzle member43engages with the center cover31on the pivoting path of the center cover31. Therefore, together with the rotation of the wiper blade13, the nozzle member43rotates about the rotation axis L (the support shaft48a), which is aligned with the rotation axis L (the coupler pin18) of the wiper blade13. Thus, when the wiper blade13rotates together with the wiper arm12while following the curved-shape of the surface to be wiped1a, the nozzle member43rotates together with the wiper arm12while following the curved shape of the surface to be wiped1a.

When the washer liquid W does not need to be sprayed onto the surface to be wiped1a, the operation of the washer pump is stopped. As a result, the supply of washer liquid W to the nozzle mechanism41is stopped. Then, the pressure of the washer liquid W acting on the valve body52of the check valve50is lowered, and the urging force of the coil spring53presses the valve body52against the annular projection54cabout the inlet passage54b. This blocks the inlet passage54b. The washer liquid W is thus prevented from flowing into the accommodation recess51a. As a result, the washer liquid W remains in the vehicle-side hose40. The residual washer liquid W is thus prevented from leaking from the nozzle mechanism41. The remaining washer liquid W will be readily sprayed from the spray holes43gin the subsequent supply of the washer liquid W.

The present embodiment has the following advantages.

(1) The attachment member42of the nozzle mechanism41is attached to the wiper arm12. The attachment member42rotatably supports the nozzle member43used for supplying the washer liquid W to the surface to be wiped1a. The wiper blade13is attached to the wiper arm12. The wiper blade13is replaced separately from the nozzle mechanism41. Therefore, when the wiper blade13needs to be replaced, the vehicle-side hose40does not need to be removed from the nozzle mechanism41. That is, the replacement can be completed simply by removing an old wiper blade13from the wiper arm12and attaching a new wiper blade13to the wiper arm12. The replacement of the wiper blade13is thus easy.

The engaging piece43cof the nozzle member43engages with the upper surface of the center cover31on the pivoting path of the center cover31. As a result, the nozzle member43is rotated together with the wiper blade13. The nozzle member43and the wiper blade13are rotated to follow the curved shape of the surface to be wiped1a. Therefore, changes in the distance between the spray holes43gof the nozzle member43and the surface to be wiped1aare suppressed, so that, the direction of the spray holes43gin relation to the surface to be wiped1ais limited. Thus, the sprayed washer liquid W is stably received by the surface to be wiped1a.

(2) The engaging piece43cof the nozzle member43engages with the center cover31. The nozzle member43is rotated together with the wiper blade13. The center cover31has a predetermined rigidity. Therefore, the nozzle member43is permitted to reliably follow the wiper blade13.

The engaging piece43cof the nozzle member43engages with the upper surface of the center cover31. The shape of the center cover31therefore does not need to be changed. Further, the nozzle mechanism41is easily attached to and removed from the wiper blade13.

(3) The cover16improves the appearance of the wiper blade13, which is located on the outer side of the vehicle. Further, the cover16has the fin portions31d,32b. The fin portions31d,32breceive relative wind of the vehicle and generate force that presses the wiper blade13and the blade rubber15against the surface to be wiped1a. Therefore, the wiper blade13is prevented being separated from the surface to be wiped1a.

(4) The support shaft48a, which supports the nozzle member43, is located on the same axis as the coupler pin18. That is, the support shaft48a, which is the rotary shaft of the nozzle member43, is on the same axis as the coupler pin18, which is the rotary shaft of the wiper blade13. Therefore, when the nozzle member43is rotated together with the wiper blade13, the nozzle member43and the wiper blade13are not twisted relative to each other due to displacement of rotation axes. That is, the nozzle member43is smoothly rotated.

(5) The engaging piece43cextends from the support shaft48a, which is the rotary shaft of the nozzle member43, in opposite directions along the longitudinal direction of the nozzle member43. Therefore, the engaging piece43cengages with the wiper blade13both in the forward rotation and the reverse rotation of the wiper blade13. Therefore, the nozzle member43readily follows the rotation of the wiper blade13in both directions.

(6) The attachment member42of the nozzle mechanism41is exposed to the outside in a state being attached to the wiper arm12. The attachment member42includes the fin portion42a. The fin portion42areceives relative wind of the vehicle and generates force that presses the wiper blade13and the blade rubber15against the surface to be wiped1a. The pressing force reaches the wiper blade13and the blade rubber15from the fin portion42athrough the wiper arm12. Therefore, in cooperation with the fin portions31d,32bof the cover16, the fin portion42aprevents the wiper blade13from being separated from the surface to be wiped1a.

(7) The nozzle mechanism41has the check valve50. The check valve50allows the washer liquid W sent under pressure to flow into the nozzle member43, and prevents the washer liquid W from flowing into the nozzle member43when the supply is stopped. Therefore, the washer liquid W remaining in the vehicle-side hose40is prevented from leaking. That is, leaked washer liquid W is prevented from staying on to the surface to be wiped1a. When the supply of washer liquid W is stopped, centrifugal force generated by the wiping operation of the wiper blade13acts on the wiper liquid W remaining in the vehicle-side hose40. In such a case, the washer liquid W is prevented from leaking.

(8) The check valve50includes the valve body52, which opens and closes the inlet passage54b, or a passage of the washer liquid W, and the coil spring53, which urges the valve body52in a direction to close the inlet passage54b. This stabilizes the pressure required for opening the check valve50. That is, the check valve50is prevented from being accidentally opened.

(9) The attachment member42is spaced apart from the nozzle member43in the nozzle mechanism41. The check valve50is provided in the attachment member42. The check valve50is connected to the nozzle member43by the flexible connecting hose44, which does not hamper desired rotation of the nozzle member43. Therefore, while being provided with the check valve50, the nozzle mechanism41is reduced in size. This adds to the flexibility of the arrangement of the nozzle member43. Even if the wiper blade13is located on one edge, the size of the nozzle mechanism41is prevented from being increased.

(10) The nozzle member43of the nozzle mechanism41is detachably attached to the attachment member42of the nozzle mechanism41. Thus, among the components of the nozzle mechanism41, the replacement of only the nozzle member43is possible. The maintenance of the nozzle mechanism41is thus easy.

(11) The nozzle mechanism41can be detached from the wiper arm12. Thus, the replacement of only the nozzle mechanism41is possible. This facilitates the maintenance of the nozzle mechanism41. Also, the vehicle wiper device11is easily configured to have a specification with or without the nozzle mechanism41. For example, the nozzle mechanism41may be an optional component that can be attached to the vehicle wiper device11.

The above embodiments of the present invention may be modified as follows.

In the illustrated embodiments, the check valve50is attached to the attachment member42, which is separated from the nozzle member43. The connecting hose44connects the check valve50to the nozzle member43. However, the check valve50may be provided in the nozzle member43. In this case, the connecting hose44is omitted.

In the illustrated embodiments, the check valve50includes the valve body52and the coil spring53. The configuration of the check valve50may be changed as necessary. For example, the check valve50may have an urging member other than the coil spring53.

In the illustrated embodiments, the engaging piece43cof the nozzle member43is located on the upper surface of the center cover31of the cover16, so that the nozzle member43follows rotation of the wiper blade13. This configuration may be changed. For example, an engaging portion of the nozzle member43and the cover16may be engaged by means of the engagement of projections and recesses, so that the nozzle member43is attached to the cover16. An engaging portion of the nozzle member43may be engaged with the lever assembly14.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cover16is formed by three parts, or the center cover31and the two side covers32. However, the cover16may be formed by two or less parts or by four or more parts. The number of levers may be one.

The present invention may be applied to a vehicle wiper device from which the cover16is omitted. In this case, an engaging portion of the nozzle member43is engaged with the lever assembly14.